My initial thought is LTR single family or small multi, though I'm not opposed to short or med term rentals.My primary question has to do with LLCs. 

The only item I would suggest is double check the payment terms of the your HELOC... in particular, can you pay interest only or are you required to pay a portion of principle each month on the amount utilized.

I agree with the other contributor that it’s better to own a $1M asset that appreciates 3% per year that pays no cash flow (over the long term) rather than a $100k asset that appreciates 3% and pays $300 a month in cash flow.

The property will be strictly for investment purposes, not a primary residence.I’ve been looking into two potential financing options:Hard Money Lenders (HML) – I’m drawn to this option for its speed in closing, but I know the rates can be higher.DSCR Loans – This seems like a great option for long-term rentals, but I’m unsure if it’s the right fit for my auction property since it might need some rehabbing.I’m also considering purchasing through a land trust or an LLC to add a layer of protection and privacy.So, my questions are:What’s the best way to approach financing for auction properties?

After the HELOC, it would drop down to about $450 per month.My goal is long term equity and appreciation, and not cash flow.

Read some books, preferably those written prior to 2015 when YouTube gurus started telling everyone how easy it is to buy 17 houses a year with no money down.Investing is pretty simple if you just follow the process investors were using since the beginning of time.

Since you're focused on equity appreciation, consider long-term rentals in growth areas (e.g., Smyrna, Decatur, Marietta), new construction or turnkey rentals for lower maintenance, or small multifamily properties for stability.

thanksRyan  @Ryan RuppertShopify is a great platform for e-commerce, but it might not be the best fit for managing STRs in the long term.

I am also doing a live in full renovation for a long term rental where I am project managing mechanical items and doing a lot of the interior renovations myself. 

Since you’re considering converting the upper unit into a short-term rental, you may also want to implement strict rules around smoking or strong odors in your house rules to avoid future issues.