Any advice or thoughts will be appreciated.

You only really have a couple of options.HELOC/LOC with the property as security.Refinance the first and walk away with a bigger first.A great way to get into properties with little money down though is to buy distressed assets at a discount, force appreciate them, and refinance to pull the cash out.

Any of us who have lost it all can appreciate the security that time with appreciation and capital build up brings.

We sold it about 3 years later (and had an amazing net return from appreciation).Unless you are putting 30%+ down and are doing a 30 year note, I am not seeing much cash flow opportunity for you. 

Apartment buildings can be a great investment but you have to buy in an area that is appreciating and purchase a building that has good returns, hi-occupancy, and little overhead. 

Today these houses are valued at $700K- $1MM (original home structures).I'm looking to do something similar, but the East Coast has obviously appreciated significantly since.

Looking to utilize the BRRRR strategy for my upcoming properties to build that portfolio of cash flowing appreciating properties!

Appreciate any help to navigate out of this mess.

Any feedback or contacts are appreciated!

I have the appreciation play / minimal cash flow in Texas right now, so the Akron plan is to maximize steady cash flow.