Just wondering if you went ahead with Matt Hewitt?

. -  It's great that you're planning ahead and saving for your first house hack.

They are really good and once/twice even suggested finance vehicles I had not considered that saved me money.

Rafael - I would just go ahead and ask the lender you're thinking about using for the cash-out refinance.

And, as you're rightfully suggesting, real estate isn't a one size fits all investing vehicle.

download the landlord tenant laws for your state.. google it and research so you know ahead of time before you call a lawyer,, you should have this information,, it's your bible.. 

The priority is finishing the basement.We are needing some input on if we should go ahead and move forward with this HELOC to help fund our future renovations/future investments or if we should be using our own cash.

Local MLS AccessHaving access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) allows you to stay ahead of new listings and price changes.

What would be nice is also to have someone on more often who has been around a longer period of time (ala pre-2008) as most people in real estate only know the good times and what we have ahead of us is not the good times.

Looking ahead, have a knowledgeable mentor, investor or inspector look at some of these properties, ideally with you in person.