I net about 3.5-5k a month(depending on airbnb) after all expenses including my primary residence and utilities there.I have built up a good amount of equity in the houses due to the renos I've done mostly myself and also from buying low during covid.

I would like to do some type of loan or HELOC product to renovate the common areas and a few units. 

Most likely, vacancy.

If you are a current owner, you are going to love these statistics:Median List Price= UP month over monthMedian New Listing Price=UP month over monthPrice Per Sqft=UP month over monthAvg days on Market=Down month over monthMedian days on Market=Down month over monthInventory=Down month over monthI don’t know if it could get much better for sellers!

So, I would be very conservative (for your standpoint) on the researched estimate.I would do what I suggested above, then if the tenant takes you to small claims court you explain to the judge the legislative time restrictions you were under in order to come up with an accurate repair expense.This is yet another example of how "tenant protection" laws, in practice, end up hurting the tenant in the end.

If you can't find people to live in the house, that's the risk you have to take.

Do you know how to read the credit/criminal background?

It might make the most sense to just sell your primary residence and use it as 40% to 50% down payment on your future home. 

I’ve visited every other property I’ve considered in the past, so this is uncharted territory for me, and it feels a little out of my comfort zone.I’m considering putting it under contract sight unseen to lock it up, but I don’t want to make a rookie mistake here.I'm looking for some advice here.

I manage 400 rentals and the most significant claim ever filed was a kitchen fire that cost $20,000.