I've been involved in the automotive business for about three years and have done everything from washing cars before delivery and stocking parts to closing deals and completing financing paperwork.I've always had a fascination with money - especially the power and freedom that it gave to those who could master it. 

In my short time in diving into the world of REI, I've realized the most powerful skill to have is the ability to network.

DO NOT give them that power or they may try and wield it againAs for the buyer.... they may just be trying to negotiate.....using some leverage that they just received....

Anyone know a high-powered accountant with real estate investing expertise?

I'm just trying to utilize the power of leverage to become financially free one day and i want to make sure whichever path I choose is the smartest way in my position.

Continue to Educate yourself because SDIRA is very powerful in building wealth.

I've also heard elsewhere that the bank/lender of the underlying loan may not authorize a pay-off without the borrower signing off on it.Do you recommend perhaps getting some kind of limited power of attorney with the seller as part of the deal so you can perform these actions on your own?

They can go in to the closing office and sign a power of attorney so the closing can proceed without them. 

I've taken out 2 other HELOCs in the past and spent them only on investments...so the HELOC can be a really powerful tool I know.

@Pete Sloa The more experience I get with judicial foreclosure and federal bankruptcy, the more I get accustomed to the idea that judges wield a lot of discretionary power and the way they wield that power is not always fair.