You would probably have to partner with someone who has a track record, or at least a reputable GC, in order for a lender to consider you for a construction loan.

Are you leveraging the stability of conventional loans, the speed of hard money loans, the flexibility of private money, the creativity of seller financing, or the collaborative approach of partnerships?

To secure the construction loan for the duplex, I would use the entire property as collateral to meet the down payment requirements.Does this sound like a good strategy?

Fees on DSCR loans always depend on closing date and loan amount.

Double check the names, address, loan amount, other contact information, etc A few important documents include: The closing disclosure, The deed of trust, The note, and The warranty deed.

Be prepared to document where that cash came from - in your case, that's easy, your HELOC.Would be happy to help you with that sort of transaction if you want to reach out - I find a lot loan officers are unfamiliar that this option even exists. 

To find a triplex or bigger property, look at loans that count your rental income, like portfolio loans and DSCR loans.

Check out local areas and homes, meet with pros, and look into financing like regular loans or FHA loans.

I needed all of them  RE license to sell RE  Mortgage to do private loans in the states that require it.. and contractors to build the homes I am building and then on top of that I have a developers license in Oregon ( no test required just a money grab And when I was figuring out what I wanted to do I got my pilots license around 20 too.. as I really wanted to be an airline pilot.. but alas in those days it was very hard to get hired not like today.

The strategy here I think would be to just do a cosmetic remodel to a home that is highly unlikely to need any other improvements.