I've got about $525K in equity in the property, but lenders have told me that I cannot get a HELOC to access that equity for additional purchases because the duplex was financed as an investment - they have said TX law dictates that HELOC can only be used on primary residences.

In terms of your investment, you stated that the primary reason is for tax benefits.

After repair value is $100k-$170k (based on comps in the neighborhood, the range is large since the layout is a bit weird where the primary bathroom is in a bedroom). 

In addition, you've got your HELOC on your primary you'd have to be paying back also.

I'm very new to investing and weighing which options would benefit me the most.Option 1:  Use the cash as down payment on another primary residence and rent out the current.

My name is Jay I'm excited to join this platform as a new investor based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I am sure the STR  platforms have probably been contacted by the authorities

I don't think you will find it, but if you do, it'll cost ya.It sounds like an amazing house hack if you can move your life around to make it your primary (and the financing will get MUCH easier).

That home was in Milpitas CA.. probably worth about 1 mil today.. but I lived there 2 years sold it made over 50k and I was off to the races.. primary home equity as I look back 50 years of ownership and multiple homes has made me well over 2.5 million in tax free gains. 

Some areas are still relatively reasonable, but in the more desirable spots, people are still overbidding like crazy.What kind of property are you looking for—a primary home or another investment?