Speaking with a lender is a good plan, they can help you plan for the future.  

I’ve also thought of plans for a smaller scale venue too.

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The plan is to use the heloc to purchase additional properties, and basically brrrr and pay back the balance - then repeat.What I didn't realize is how difficult it is to find a business heloc.  

But if your a W 2 and real estate is how you are planning on retiring by investing that is a completely different lifestyle and motivation and game plan. 

For down payment, plan to need 30-40%.

We are looking into getting a fixer upper and plan to rent out our original residence ( Zillow says we can get $2700 median rent in our area ) while moving and fixing up the new house.

@Jacob AndersonI've only used my HELOC for investing when I have a quick exit plan.

My friend and I are planning to buy an investment property (My second his first).

I don’t want to spend a month in a dump.