I'm here to help with insights or advice based on my experience.

I may have someone for the down payment, or take out a portion of HELOC as a down payment, as I have quite a bit of equity on my home.I've tried doing the calculations and have come up with (roughly), a property that doesn't cashflow based on my calculations (which could be wrong)Not cashflowing? 

Luckily I can help you with many scenarios based on your goals with this home. 

Never used that rules nor any rules set by the gurus and somehow build up a portfolio that allowed my to exit the corporate world.I find those rules are an obstacles for my clients and slow them down from achieving their dreams.Its better to come up with your own rules based on your personal goals & strategy.

The government pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord, while the tenant pays the remaining amount based on their income.Get your property approved: Before you can rent to a Section 8 tenant, your property must meet certain housing quality standards (HQS) set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

It's based in New Orleans and shows local investor Sidney Torres helping strugging flippers. https://www.cnbc.com/cnbc-the-deed-sidney-torres/Looks like they have some other episodes based in Chicago , but I haven't seen those.

I live close to a HUGE Marine Base.

Location: Louisiana Disclaimer: I am not an attorney & don't play one on TV.It sounds like the title company did not do much research into the chain of title if they did not see that a succession was not done on the husband (what appears to be the case based on what you have relayed). 

Looking for real estate focused tax advisors for new investors, someone who will take time to explain and advise benefits, best practices and any areas of concern in real estate investing based on our current financial portfolio.  

If the property does not provide for all three, you should not underwrite or make investment decisions based on the property operating as an STR.