I know that is a lot to ask for but I don't have anyone else that is a real estate pro or has any experience with multi unit analysis. 1.

I apologize if I wasn't clear on my question, I didn't really go into my plans for how I would invest as I didn't think it really pertained to my question, yes I know I should not purchase a rental using a HELOC and certainly that wasn't the plan.Whether it be a flip or brrrr, I would use some investment vehicle that would allow me to pay back the money.Roll into as when I purchase my next primary home, use the equity towards the house.The premise of my question was just is owning a home expensive enough now to where it'd be worth putting more money towards it when purchasing to lower payment/pay off quicker, or would it still be worth it to use all of that money towards other real estate. 

Some owned are inside ROTH IRA'S so I will never pay or owe ANY tax or capital gains on the profits.Some are 1000% tax free profit, before adding in the accumulated tax free rental income, If you finding better investments, I'd love to hear the details.I tried to use a financial calculator once, it just got real hot and burst into flames.

My uncle is part of the RHA and has found it helpful https://www.rhawa.org/I keep meaning to check it out but haven't since I can get so much second hand information off of him and others I know in real estate.

While I'm also looking around, I figured I might as well ask the nice folks on BP.If you have a broker you love or a policy you've used before, would you mind sharing that info?

I'm excited about buying my first home as I pursue a duplex here in Houston to launch my real estate journey.

@Jay LindgrenRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

The real estate market in my area is now stagnant with a surplus of inventory.  

This would be my first real estate transaction. 

This latter group is called "REO" (for "real estate owned").