Keep spending money on it, and if it is not working.. 

By the time I retire, I want to have enough rental properties to have financial independence to enjoy my hobbies and enjoy spending time with my family and watch my children grow up.

We plan to spend the next 6-12 months continuing to earn and save, as well as nail down a final market we want to househack in.

If I owe $350k mortgage and I take out $100,000 HELOC and spend it on say a 6 month CD,And then I sell the house for $700kI would only have $250k profit right?

May or may not work because everything is negotiable, but it's worth a shot.Maybe prices are a lot higher up there, but I spend about $550 for a full inspection and wood destroying insect report and then do additional inspections if I feel the need to.

also we do not know what is going to happen with int rates, they are very high now, the economy is not good and it is not certain they will be coming down this year. we know there will be more responsible gov spending, so maybe rates will come down, no way to know...I think you need to know the market where you plan to buy well, and go from thereBest of luck

It seems not the best way to spend money.

Get a gander at your competition and see what they are offering and take it up a notch.You might check Fiverr or TaskRabbit (not sure for interior designer) and see who is out there.They should be able to help you out remotely and without spending a ton of dough.

I wont need to spend that money now.   

Given his spending habits during his first term, it might be a wash.Costs to build new properties will probably increase.