To get familiar with the area, network through local real estate groups like AZREIA, connect with multifamily brokers, and explore neighborhoods firsthand to assess tenant demand. 

It would be a good idea to assess your tolerance to risk and then plan something like that, but using a heloc is going to be around 9-11% in this market so to pay something off with lower interest rate to borrow more might not make much sense.

See if they will give you an estimate of the assessment for the property.

Also , I would love to connect with any agents who specialize in STR market in Boston Mass area. airdna is pretty accurate . lenders use it to assess rental comps for short terms rentals when financing a short term rental  I use it for DSCR loans as well; it is accurate yet conservative because it gives you the median 50 percentile for the area based on comps.

Is that a far assessment? 

•Our company has proprietary AI models designed to accurately assess listing quality through images, which would power this feature.2.Smart Weighting:•Automatically weigh comps based on their reliability.

Key Factors for a Good Seller-Financed DealCash Flow: Rental income should exceed monthly payments (PITI) by at least 1.25–1.5x.Purchase Price: Compare to ARV and market value for fair pricing and equity potential.Interest Rate: Aim for competitive rates; higher rates must still allow positive cash flow.Amortization/Balloon Terms: Favor longer amortization and align balloon payments with your exit strategy.Down Payment: Lower upfront costs reduce risk but should meet the seller's expectations.Flexibility: Seek no prepayment penalties and fair late-payment clauses.Property Condition: Ensure the property’s condition matches terms through inspections.Seller Motivation: Assess the seller’s willingness to negotiate favorable terms.Exit Strategy: Have a clear plan for refinancing or payoff at term end.Portfolio Fit: Ensure the deal aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.Vetting multiple deals and consulting professionals is crucial to making sound decisions.

Not questioning your judgement/assessment, just trying to understand the situation to best advise you. 

Some special assessments are already board-approved for 2025 and 2026 to help raise capital for such items, however I know when the time comes there will be a loan which likely demands a higher monthly payment for owners -- reducing my cashflow. - Based on sale of other units in the complex, I believe my current equity to be roughly $160,000, a little more than 50% equity. - The condo is currently leased through April 30, 2025. - August 2025 will be 3 years since I moved out.

@David YoungTo turn your paid-off home into a successful investment property, start by formalizing a lease agreement, assessing necessary renovations to maximize rental appeal, and calculating your cash flow after expenses.