Many investors opt for building broker relationships when buying 100+ unit properties, but it also takes time to build a relationship with the broker. 

I would suggest you do both of what you suggest - meaning get either a new mortgage (more conservative route) or HELOC on the townhome and use those funds to buy your next investment property.

KwanzaHi Kwanza, I can help answer this question as I've worked with investors and helped them buy LTRs, MTRs, and STRs (own quite a few myself as well).

And it sold for more because I was accessible and right there walking with them in their buying journey. 

Your best route might be to buy a 2 to 4 unit property that you can live in and rent out the additional apartments.

I am new to the game with 1 property leased to section 8 under my belt and was about to buy another.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Yes, you could easily buy a fourplex in Colorado in 2012 with 3.5% down using an FHA loan.

I use Eric Kloth out of Redding and he is stuck with us for this and our future home buying needs. 

But I’d also buy the $200 5 year warranty.My last/only stackable I bought last year was LG, the combined towers to try to reduce noise, increase ease of use, and presents higher end look.