I picked a mentor and a team to follow and the rest worked out

Lastly, we'll need a closing attorney who can close quickly and as inexpensively as possible.Any recommendations are much appreciated! 

@Douglas Skipworth and Dean Harris of Crestcore have a great podcast and a video outlining all the zip codes in TN as well.

If you don't already have boots-on-the-ground and a trusted network, it's going to be tougher to do.

It has a Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Applebees, and a 99 Restaurant which is a New England chain as well as tons of other businesses and restaurants.

I'm imagining something more like add a wall, turn a bedroom into a kitchen-living on one side and a formal dining room into a bedroom on the other side, maybe add a half bath in each unit.

The only thing you need is experience a model, and a team.  

. --- Once I'm ready to make the move, I can speak with a lawyer and a RE Tax Accountant to find out what's the lowest allowable to avoid that trigger.

Interest rates between a HEL and a refi are comparable, the equity in the property is equal to the value of the property and I only need about 50% to purchase another property.

Your mentor’s advice about starting with a rental property is solid, and a duplex could be a great option for house hacking.