Another idea that we have been exploring is using the cash value of whole life insurance funds for emergencies. 

So depending on if you are using it personally and want to have it pay for itself or you just want cash flow will help determine where you should look and what type/size home you want to consider.Please reach out anytime and let me know if I can be of help.

Where do you find details on prices, demand, cash flow etc? 

Purchase price: $840,000 Cash invested: $75,000 Sale price: $1,200,000 Full renovation of all 4 units.

If you have 1-4 unit residential that's already cash flowing I would go DSCR if you have a ratio of 1 or more.

You can find tons of cash flowing opportunities here and you get amazing appreciation potential as well.

Is a second mortgage (heloc) or cash out refinance a better idea?

I would, If in this position, take the equity in the form of a HELOC and purchase a cash flowing asset that would not only pay for itself but pay for the cost of the money while putting cash into my bank account each month. 

What does a cash positive investment mean to you? 

We need the cash to mostly just tie us over untill we sell the property, so 150,000 is on the upper end; 80,000 and above would probably be sufficient.