I am the first in my family to do REI and my goal is to break the tradition of working for a salary for 40+ yrs only to retire on what I hope will be enough to start living freely.

@Charles Kao I believe he means attorney & Title Services that are familiar with non traditional or creative Transfers or Sales of property that don't include Banks.

@Philip Beckwith typically in Michigan, you can only do a tax appeal in February.The instructions will be on the back of your winter tax bill.You will need to have great comparables to challenge the City Assessor's valuation.

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.

Property prices are lower compared to larger cities, offering the potential for higher returns, while the demand for rentals remains steady thanks to a large student population and growing workforce.

so every step is tougher.2. you don't really compare the interest rate when purchased and the interest rate when refinancing - that is apples and oranges. 

Lower property taxes, affordable housing compared to LA (CA buyers are usually cash buyers because what they net from their smaller home in CA can get them a bigger home here, often covered by what they net from their CA sale), allergies (smog), and politics. 

I understand, to clarify the cash flow is not my only source of funds to purchase future deals as I am able to save a large portion of my W-2 income as well and the cash flow from the property is a very small percentage comparably.  

I talked to my lender contact and, as Kerry mentioned above, it's pretty uncommon that a traditional lender would offer a HELOC product on an investment property (non-primary home). 

Can they be listed alongside other traditional MLS listings?