I’d like to keep it in NC or close to home to begin I think, just to keep eyes on things occasionally. 

Both virtually and possibly occasionally in person as well!

Kitchen is basically useless and cannot wash dishes in the tiny sink.

While selling in Rochester and investing in states closer to Chicago would still require finding a reliable PM and likely making improvements, the advantage is that these new investments would be in a market that I can occasionally drive to.

Lots of people think they are cashflowing but aren't really calculating out those time bombs and occasional bad tenants, etc.

For the bulk of my real estate service career I've sold Oregon Coast property and STR vacation rentals with ocean views and occasionally oceanfront locations. 

However occasionally a client starts as a FSBO, and then switches after getting tired and frustrated of receiving low ball offers, or a low amount of offers.

We have occasionally run into issues with the Internet being down at the STR and it not all going through with a tenant now using a code that doesn't work.

Has anyone found lenders (preferably credit unions or small local banks) that do HELOCs on investment properties, or are okay with a tax return that shows income generated occasionally on a 2nd home?

It just so happens that so called "free" blueprint was just an "overview" aka appetizer before being served the main dish aka his $2k Land Profit Generator Program or $200 monthly.