Whichever location you want to purchase go visit for some time. 

I discovered that credit scores are not the only determining factor for financing.

I’m looking to purchase my first multi family property.

Im located in Phx,Az and its common here to still see empty dirt land in prime areas of city, as an example, my father who knows next to nothing about real estate purchased a 7k sqft gated dirt land  in the city 3yrs ago for $35k cash, was planning to invest in it but it was too much hassle for him so recently he sold it for $140k .What's a good way to find good deals on empty dirt land  in the city or close by, does mls offer this search option.

I don't have all of the details regarding frequency but it sounds like you intend to flip the property when you purchase it. 

I’ve heard about ‘gap funding’ for fix & flips to cover down/closing/holding costs in addition to the hard money loan for most of the purchase price & rehab, but how realistic is it to secure that type of funding?

Purchase price: $140,000 Cash invested: $550,000 I am in the process of building a 2,800 square foot new construction duplex!

Hi Rabia,I didn't use a home equity loan, but instead chose to use a HELOC to purchase our duplex which is an LTR and our vacation rental on the Big Island.

I use it on all my purchases that aren't done through agents.

Research local rental market trends for 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom homes to determine competitive rental rates and ensure they align with your financial goals.Consulting with local real estate professionals can provide valuable insights into market trends and potential challenges.