I am looking at essentially using equity within my primary residence (HELOC) to purchase whatever MFU I go after. 

I own 1 property which is my primary resident, so I have insight on the closing process.

And for those in Columbus, would this property been a good primary residence to rental convert?

The last STR potential regulation had a residency requirement; the owner needed to be on-site for it to rent any significant amount of days.  2) I have horror stories. 

I have a rental that used to be my primary residence.

My personal residence is fully paid for.

We thought we would be staying here for residency as well, but it turns out we have to move to Florida.

Wanted to find out if one can 1031 from a personal residence to a Commercial MFR?

The perceived value you added to their residence may go a long way in offsetting any negative perception from the rent increase, and as you as their new LL.

I'm not really an investor, but do own one single-family house in a great inner east-side neighborhood that was my primary residence - I now rent it out and receive some positive cash flow.