,and there was technology out there that would make your decision easier.

If you are accredited, the best thing to do would be to invest 50k into a syndication and soak up all the knowledge of how it works from an experienced operator before you make the decision whether it's your plan.

In my view they made the correct decision and if you spent significant time recovering this cost, well I think we all know what that is. 

I respect and support you and your decision.

Thus, my main goal joining this forum is to try to gain confidence in the decision to get into real estate investment and better understand the risks that I may not be considering due to my lack of experience in the field.

Is this a wise decision to use a HELOC on property number one that only has 20 to 25% equity in it to fund a down payment for a live in house hack in multifamily property number two?

In this case, they get equity but do not make decisions. 

We allow pets so it is no big deal.In the end, it is the animals owner who needs to make the decision.

What decision is your significant other leaning towards, what stress is in your relationships?

If he doesn't move out you have to go to your county precinct office and file for eviction, at which time they will give you a court date and a constable will notify your tenant of the court date.