> What about the points and charges in borrowing 30K?

Most helocs don't have points or any sort of closing costs (at least any that ive seen).

>Is it wiser to take out the HELOC or just pull the $$ out and re-invest/replenish that amount over the next 15 months?

Heloc, especially if you have excellent credit. May just need a better lender.

> The Transamerica guy make the "loan from myself" sound pretty decent because he said all the interest goes back to my account.

Sure but he also left out the part where if the market turns around, you miss out on all those gains