"Never, ever borrow against your home, or roll debt into a mortgage unless it's your last option.
People want everything now. Kids who are 25 want a home bigger, newer and nice than mom and dad's house. The concept of a starter home is lost on most people now."
I don't think that's good general advice. THere's nothing wrong with taking a HELOC or 2 for home improvement, especially for a "starter home," which usually means "needs some work."
It depends on why, what, and how often.