Any chance you can get the HELOC up to $55K (or more)?

That $30K might be included in your revolving util on one or two of your reports. I think Experian, maybe? keeps counting lines of credit in revolving util until the CL's are somewhere in the $30-$35K range. Once they're up around $40K, they aren't included in util.

At any rate, I really think I'd try for a loan in your situation. It won't affect your revolving util, even though the balance will show on your reports. The trick would be the repayment period, of course.

I'm sorry, what a God-awful mess you've had to go through. I hope you're in the home stretch now.