There were great suggestions, ideas etc.  

any suggestions on how I should compare these 2 options?

Would anyone be willing to share some suggestions that I could use as a foundation?

Now, use your job income to pay off the HELOC over three years ($90K plus interest).

@Brittany MyrickIf I were getting started in real estate investing in New England, I’d focus on researching local market trends, especially job growth, rental demand, and the broader economic outlook.

I have a W-2 job primary and my business partner has another business.

Get a job in property management.

Good job on this flip!  

It will also allow you to focus more of your time and resources in the actual real estate vs. raising capital which usually leads to poor real estate acquisition and operational decisions because raising capital is your full time job leaving an inadequate amount of time for the real estate.OK, chasing 32unit apartments, acquisition priced between 3.2M - 4.8M.  

As you suggest lowering down payment to buy more properties is one way, although the downside is greater risk in event of down cycle and more time to manage required.