It’s great to have you here, and it sounds like you’re in a fantastic area with lots of potential.

Some private lenders like the one I work with doesn't require appraisals on fix and flip/new construction loans and also doesn't require tax returns/W2s.

Quote from @Enrique Toledo: I came across a really good seller financing deal and I would like to purchase it as my first deal but I don’t have enough money for the down payment.can I use a lender of some sort to give me money for the down payment?

To transition to multi-family properties, research landlord-friendly states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Indiana with favorable eviction laws, lower taxes, and higher rental demand.

Kind of like asking if people like cars pro/con; then finding out later you're a car salesperson; versus Truck/Motorcyle/Mass transit.Read back through my comment and yours, we said the same thing. 

How do I access a portion of that equity to fund the purchase of 1-2 more MFR properties in more affordable markets like OH, IN, MI, PA, TN, or AL?

A number of things seem like memory loss. 

It’s paid off, I would “like” to leave it that way & maximize the cash flow while paying down the heloc between the rental & other income.  

Investing out of state in the KCMO area sounds like a smart move; it’s such an interesting market with plenty of potential.

Sounds like you found a profitable niche