HELOC's are low cost, digital, cookie cutter no exception type processing- you fit in the box or not.

We build a 2004 square foot stacked triplex. the footprint of it is less than 1000 sq ft. it fits on a lot that is less than 3000 sq ft and most of the time we do it with variances.

This is not a box everyone will fit and I get that.

What I suggested was a tandem breaker which is basically 2 separate breakers but that fit into 1 slot thereby allowing for more circuits to be serviced in less space.

In single family units, we generally see Ceiling fans in the master bedroom and the family room.It's hard to make a blanket statement that fits all situations and or properties.

If you get quality tenants who fit your criteria (it's different for everyone), it may be worth it to rent the home.

This can help offset your mortgage and other expenses.Single-Family Home: If you choose a single-family home, you may have the option to rent out rooms or a separate unit if there's space, but the income potential might be lower compared to a duplex.Affordability:Duplex: Financing a duplex might be more challenging, but the rental income can assist with affordability.Single-Family Home: Single-family homes might be more accessible for first-time buyers, but you won't have rental income to offset expenses unless you choose to rent out a portion of the property.Property Management:Duplex: Managing a duplex involves dealing with multiple tenants and units, which can be more time-consuming than managing a single-family home.Single-Family Home: Managing a single-family home is typically simpler since there's only one tenant.Privacy:Duplex: Living in a duplex means you'll share a building with tenants, which could impact your privacy.Single-Family Home: Offers more privacy as you won't be sharing the property with renters.Market Conditions:Duplex: In some markets, duplexes may offer better appreciation potential and cash flow due to the rental income.Single-Family Home: Depending on the location, single-family homes may have better long-term appreciation potential.Long-Term Plans:Duplex: If your goal is to accumulate rental properties, starting with a duplex can be a good way to get into real estate investing.Single-Family Home: If you prioritize a more traditional living arrangement and don't want to manage rental units, a single-family home might be a better fit.

Happy to make intros to the right folks if there's a good fit. 

I'm a strong advocate for house hacking when it fits the right scenario!

Investing in a syndication or fund could be a good fit given your situation.I started investing in some fix and flips and some smaller residential properties from traditional BRRRs.