But I appreciate that, I prefer advice to be blunt because it makes me really think about my actions and get back on track.

This will ensure you are on track for paying off your mortgage in a timely manner and saving money on interest payments.

I think hearing from those who have house hacked in the area would be really helpful in setting me on the right track. 

If it’s a 40% return as you stated, it should be pretty easy to get someone with the balance sheet, track record, and banking relationships to do the deal with you.

That would have been the easiest and cleanest way I believe.So with all of that said (hopefully it makes some manner of sense), how can I keep track of each property's true balance and when each property has fulfilled its debt to the HELOC and we can start splitting the cash flow 50/50. 

We are on track to accomplish most of our goals for 2021!

Nick kept me on track for the 90 day challenge and when I was freaking out that I was "buying a crack with a house around it", Nick helped me take a step back and see (and understand) it for what it was, "not a big deal".

That would have been the easiest and cleanest way I believe.So with all of that said (hopefully it makes some manner of sense), how can I keep track of each property's true balance and when each property has fulfilled its debt to the HELOC and we can start splitting the cash flow 50/50.

If it's 5 or more units then YES, you're on the right track as far as how the bank/credit union will value the property.

And my clients have to scramble (usually then choosing to talk with one of the local lenders I told them about) and we get to closing....they're stressed out, and I'm like "local lenders have a brick and mortar office you can go to, sit and talk with them eye to eye, and they have a track record with my past clients"...local lenders most always out-perform the large national lenders that advertise how great they are.Often, people will end up refinancing after 1-5 years anyway, so the absolute lowest rate is often a moot point.