@Levi T.

I’m currently in the research phase for obtaining my first property, and I am looking to gain insight on market trends, investment strategies, and project management.

In this era of increased rates, obtaining properties that will produce a good return are harder to find and often involve quite a bit of work.  

Two, you'll have a much easier time obtaining a mortgage product if you have a track record of W2 income.In the meantime, continue implementing the strategies you mentioned: save religiously, build your credit, pay any existing debt owed, etc.

How did you obtain financing?

Looking to obtain a real estate salesperson license in CT.

Quote from @Kody Smith: without getting too deep into my finances, what my strategy is...1. take loans to buy properties (leverage)2. fix/flip for day to day cash flow income3. use some of the fix/flip income to buy consistent cash flow through:- business acquisition, - commercial properties (MF and store fronts),I have no intention of doing ALL of the management myself, I will hire management as needed (medium term goal)my expected core role is money provider, evaluating the numbers, making decisions, and connecting with investors, wholesalers, lenders, contractors, and property owners.while I am just on step 2 of the journey, I am looking toward step 3 to stabilize, and not worry about if house prices drop mid project or not (or not worry as much) So to be fair this is more about obtaining and growing a real estate business not simply buying rentals for cashflow.

Sounds like it is best to either use the HELOC or obtain a conventional mortgage rather than using a HELOC and then a cash out refi.  

Then I would speak with a land surveyor or civil engineer to get a sense of what it would take to obtain all the entitlements and bring in the utilities, etc.     

Also, 18 months is too short a period of time to obtain a truly significant result.