He said to definitely use a title company and pay extra for them to research any other outstanding debts as well as contact the lender. 

Couple that with an interest-only note to lighten the immediate-term financial burden of the investment, we are really looking at an interesting long-term phenomenon.Now if we are to layer in a light "face-lift" into the equation, we could walk into 10-20%+ equity out of the gate.

Well worth the extra cost to have a product that lasted 30 years.

We project we would still be cash flow positive even with the extra costs of the HELOC, but we would ideally rather have more cash flow then less at this timeWhat are things we need to be considering or thinking about?

Lots of people travel with their significant other and appreciate the extra bedroom to use as an office for the partner who is working from home.

You'll also need storage space for cleaning supplies, change of linens and towels and small miscellaneous items like a first aid kit, extra batteries, flashlights, broom, vacuum, etc.

Layer in any aspects of buying anything that may involve an ADU or you float up to FHA 2-4 and separation will happen with experienced lenders.

One suggestion would be to offer the seller a chunk of cash extra to offer the tenants a keys for cash option.

They tried to compensate for this by providing me with an extra list to call which I appreciated but even that proved to bring barely any more lead flow. 

Detroit is not what most investors consider an appreciation market. 2 years of appreciation during a time period when every other market appreciated also, following decades of up and down with extra down doesn't suddenly make it an appreciation market.