@Nathan Weber You pose a fantastic question, and I along with other "old-Pro's" have actually been discussing this exact item off forum more and more recently because with BP's growth and recognition also draws the scammers, that is a unfortunately reality of life today for anything of popularity. 

Since duplexes aren't easy to find, I was thinking about buying a 1b/1b in a popular city, Nashville, TN specifically.

Here is what we are considering:Amazing 4br, 2.5ba house in an extremely popular area of CA Sierra Nevada mountains, approx 2400sf.

folks need to keep in mind there are some that fall on bad times i get that.. however the vast majority this is a lifestyle choice dont kid yourselves. 

Contrary to popular believe, there is no correlation between interest rates and housing prices.

Seems like a HELOC on both would be a good choice, but I'm concerned about getting over-leveraged.Any other thoughts or ideas about our situation and early research that could help us out?

Seems like a HELOC on both would be a good choice, but I'm concerned about getting over-leveraged.- Any other thoughts or ideas about our situation and early research that could help us out?

Your loan officer is correct….but it is your choice. 

This may not be popular but its not Bidens fault any more than any other politician.

Doors also seem to be popular but they go fast.