I had reached out to a realtor around 3 weeks ago for a prime location apartment in an apartment complex.He called me again yesterday.Are we topping?

I'd really like to try the Brrr Strategy, and a HELOC sound like a great way to go about accessing the cash needed for a purchase and refurbishing.  

This is value add opportunity- rents had previously been under market value (450/month) and since acquiring the property and renovating it, the management team recently raised the rents to match market value in the area (525/month) The property is projected to generate over 25k of monthly income, a cash flow of almost 11k a month, and the annual cash on cash ROIis projected to be nearly 32% This would be my first large multi-unit apartment deal and I’m looking to either obtain a commercial loan for the property or (ideally) find private/hard money lender that would might also (eventually) serve as a partner/mentor/associate/eventual first to a smart, hardworking, and ambitious young real estate investor.

Could we buy it with an FHA-type loan and house hack while I'm working in the area AND write off the rent of the apartment we'd be in as a business expense for my freelance gig?

The four elements of CPTED are: natural surveillance and visibility; lighting; territorial reinforcement and space delineation, and natural access control.

Don't find quality properties on a consistent basisIf you want to set yourself apart, then don't do the above.

I prefer not to break the bank on a down payment as I want to keep pool of funds to access for the repairs.

I'd stick with three bedrooms sharing one bath that is easily accessible from a common hall.  

I find that in my particular case, having unfettered access to cash has given me investment opportunities I couldn't have done in a Solo with the limitations they have.

@Jeff Brower what if one of the units is newly converted from a basement to an apartment?