HELOC or Commercial Real Estate Loan

[Tony Crabtree]

Newbie here trying to take his first action step!
Last October my wife and I purchased a new home and began renting out our old home, which can we happen to own free and clear ($150k).
We've loved owning a rental property ($1250/mo in cash flow) and are wanting to purchase another. We're thinking we want another $300 in cash flow but also want to start buying many more as well.
I had always thought the best way to go about it was a HELOC for the financing. Take out $60k maybe, but one house this fall, another maybe next summer. But a banker today (with what seemed to be VERY good intentions and desire to help) was very strong in his recommendation to not do the heloc, do a commercial real estate loan for $80k from the rental property, use it to buy the next house, then use all the cash flow to have both loans paid off in 7 years.
Long story short, I'm really confused now and scared to pull the trigger on anything.
Any help or thoughts?