I've gone higher in quality, but the paint is thicker and a little harder to spread or I just wasn't used to it.

I just bought a similar deal in Columbus 16 units total spread amongst 4 parcels next to each other. 

Talking with a realtor will help in narrowing down your personal criteria.

Figure out a strategy then go from there, update us when you have your criteria narrowed down.

Try to narrow it down to your top 3-4.

only you know (or should know) what the numbers are.Obviously the “cash flow” would go towards paying back the HELOC, so we wouldn’t see any of that income for a couple of years. and if you're just paying down the interest on the HELOC and not the principal, then the HELOC will still be due in its entirety after the draw period ends. make sure you are looking at this accurately.We just always hear about people getting started buying their first property, and even on a lot of the webinars we watch they run the numbers, get a couple hundred dollar cash flow deals and call them good. yes - in a lot of cases this is because (1) the assumptions are unrealistic, (2) the buyer bought when interest rates are a lot lower, (3) the buyer is spreading repairs, management and other costs other an entire portfolio and not a single property, (4) the buyer is managing themselves and doing all of the repairs themselves, or (5) some combination. 

After talking to a few people here, I think we narrowed down to a small multifamily unit. 

Also narrowing down my realtor choices to see who will be able to help me the most.

Also, good luck finding a 50k spread on your first flip.

At least spread the fee out over the tenancy, standing behind your placement choice.