We own a top-rated local property management company and real estate brokerage here, so lots of resources no matter where you are in your career and always happy to help! 

if you can build at 50% of after value I'd hire you and I build the cheapest of anyone I know in our market and minimum rates. there's 3 builders that build at our rate. only place I can get us to 50% equity is in miami florida and that is new construction that is selling at $1000 per square foot and up and high density 300+ unit underwriting with incredible economies of scale. columbus has lower construction costs but lower exit. we focus on urban core. my best suggestion is look at urban not suburban for higher valuations. you can't control what new construction appraises at so do it in less risky areas. 

What you can purchase today for $100 will require $155 in 10 years if the inflation rate is 5%.

Who is giving out killer rates right now on jumbo loans?

When I rehabbed the basement I tore out the existing drywall ceiling and added sound-proofing insulation followed by a 5/8" fire-rated drywall thinking that would be enough, but apparently the tenants can hear us walking, the dogs claws (we have hardwoods) as well as the TV.

Our interest rate is 2.8% putting our mortgage at only $1,880. 

I’m also interested in banking with a community oriented bank or credit union, black owned bank/CU, or similar, but interest rates there are often lower than online HYSAs.

just be cautious when it comes to using these. ensure you've got a plan to pay that balance back in a relatively quick fashion as most HELOC rates can fluctuate which could make the numbers suddenly not work. i've leveraged mine in instances where i'm doing a BRRR and i want the deposit for a private money loan. i'm not using it as my downpayment and leaving it out there for a long period of time. 

-Safety and crime rates.

Keep in mind - a good response rate is between 0.5%-1%.