@A H.you may get people chiming in with advice on Kansas City or other out of state markets that they want to recommend to you, but I am going to be blunt.it is very, very difficult to cash flow right now unless you are using some kind of creative strategy (or combination of strategies).you might be able to use your HELOC to buy 1-2 properties... but if you use a HELOC for the DP + a mortgage, that will likely be so expensive that you won't cash flow at all and will be negative every year.

In the end, a majority of inspectors would likely appreciate the fact that you will end up improving the condition and make it safer; especially if you are not trying to use the space as additional utility space or living space; just as long as the Zoning Reviewer doesn't pick your project to become an issue, or just as long as you are not hiding an illegal unit which an inspector notices once on site...One final note;In regards to deconverting your property to a single-family residence in the future; with the Zoning TSL Expansion, many Zoning designations are restricted from deconverting properties away from an existing Multi-Unit condition.

All I know is I'm just looking for strategy help/expertise and not for a company to manage my investments/funds who preferably charges a flat fee vs a % of my assets.

Im just looking for general information and strategy suggestions.

Timing of the sale of each might be an issue, it's a complicated strategy you will want to think through and plan for before you list either property. 

Want to link up with an agent that can find us off-market deals, as well as a GC in the area that is familiar with fix&flip or BRRRR strategies. 

I've seen along I-20 (between Atlanta and Birmingham), or along I-65 (between Birmingham and Huntsville), areas like Oxford, Lincoln, Pell City, Cullman etc,  there are some new builds 3bd/2ba for around 200k - 220k range, rent for about 1.5k, for a buy-hold strategy, I feel comfortable as long as it has a positive cashflow (with 25% down). 

We moved out of our 2 bedroom and studio units.Like any strategy, you have to do your research, get some numbers, and do your analysis to see what's worth going for.

Its designed to be you personal Ai companion as a real estate investor.

The house hacking strategy by Craig Curelop is pretty solid.