I have been saving for a down payment on a rental property.

Personally I only use my HELOC on short term projects like flips, new builds and BRRRRs where I know I will be replacing the capital within months.You may be better off waiting a year and save up more cash or liquidate your index funds if the returns on a property will be better.

The very basics would be getting your furniture and shopping list together, keyless entry like Schlage (with backup lockbox with physical key very close as well), looking into insurance, local taxes for STRs, and moreAlot of ways to save time and make it easier to self manage with a property management software like Hospitable and data research like AirDNA.

We're looking into some CRM solutions as well to manage private lenders, commercial lenders, deal funnel, etc.

However, what I would suggest based on your expertise as a contractor is going into a semi-fixer upper and make minor repairs to boost equity as well as savings. 

The fact that they don't have critical thinking skills and limited income/saving, makes them desperate and easy target.

Your great credit, cash in checking and savings, and property ready to cash flow are the basic conditions to qualify.

Many of us want to save cash to be able to purchase the next one.

She's asking $700K.My question is how do i start the process of obtaining this property without having to sell and 1031 exchange my current duplex.I have not much in savings, and no where near 20-25% for a down payment for the new property.

Perhaps you can save up for a bit longer so you can afford to purchase your own primary and keep the 3 rentals?