It sounds like the terms of your option is basically allowing you to pay down the price at zero interest for3 years which means it is all going to principle.

My main concern was that with a HELOC I would not want to carry the additional payment for a long time, so maybe investing in a flip or something that would allow me to recoup the cash within a relatively short period of time would be most beneficial? 

As we all know Cannabis became legal in Canada few weeks ago and tenants are allowed to have a small grow up (up to 5 plants if I am not mistaken) How are you handling it to make sure things don’t get out of control without crossing the line? 

We only allowed a lawyer this time because seller's English was poor but the lawyer was not even paying attention to what was going on and would interject with only hearing 10 percent of what was going on.

Only gaining acsess to your properties if they put in the name and email, allows you to build a cash buyers list fairly quick.

I used a VA Loan and bought a duplex in Oakland 2 years ago for $375K...it can be done...no work needed on the property....it is in "The Hood" but so what....i'm refinancing out of it next year.You can also try a USDVA loan and that should allow you to buy a pl;ace that needs some fixing up

Second, the flooding is due to the tenants clogging the toilet and then allowing it to run.DO NOT use the security deposit to cover any repairs.

I always have a set of tools that allow me to take care of 90% of small projects and can haul extra tools to take care of bigger projects.

I am looking for properties owned in TX.Fannie Mae just changed their rules about allowing properties that are currently in single member llc's credit for time being in the LLC so it doesn't affect their seasoning requirements, but loan still need to close in personal name. 

Does it allow time for a 30 to 45 day (from the time your end buyer starts the process with his lender) financed closing?