However, availability remains tight, with a record-low vacancy rate of 4.5%.Retail move-ins reached 86.3 million square feet, while move-outs balanced the market at 86 million square feet.

I'm thinking about using a HELOC to acquire the property and then refinance to pay back the balance.

Sellers need to be mindful of the time value of money, using realistic interest rates and structuring the deal to protect their position, whether through securing a first-position lien or obtaining a personal guarantee from the buyer.In the end, seller financing can be a win-win, but it requires a balance.

The goals you have and why you’re investing will keep you focused on the best strategy for you to build a balanced portfolio. 

Buy & hold investors may consider lower cost areas like Aurora, Joliet, SW Chicago, and others to get a balance of cash flow while still investing in a decent area.

Some lenders allow you to go up to 90% combined loan to value meaning whatever your balance on your first mortgage is plus the equity loan can go up to 90% of your homes value.

What do you suggest is the best entity classification to choose from for a new, up-in-coming business owner to get the best balance between liability protection and tax advantages? 

I balanced cost vs. forced appreciation which ended up making that property a better BRRRR with most of my cash coming out during the refi.

As a fellow professional looking to get into real estate investing, I can definitely relate to the challenges of balancing your practice with exploring investment opportunities.

@Laura Ozols  Im considering the Hero loan only because I intend to pay off the balance in full before the 18 month promotional period expires.