We are building duplexes/Quads for investors all the time (currently at 2/week).

I am speaking at a meetup in JC this coming TUE (9-24) called Elevate and then I run meetups the first WED of every month in Northern NJ, WED Oct 2 is in Fairfield.

For buy and holds I would say look at Benbrook

I decided to go with a fixed rate HEloan over a HELOC because at the time, interest rates were rising and I knew that the rents can more than cover the fixed payments.

.: What a great analogy lol Not decided on that strategy, just researching about that specific one.The main reason was because a land trust can be a co signee on a conventional loan and can help with transferring the conventional loan to an LLC later one without triggering the due on sale clause I recommend checking at Jay Hinrich post about land trusts and issues he has noted with them in the past. 

I bought my first property at 18.  

To answer both your questions, I would recommend you don't engage a real estate-focused accountant until you have at least one property.

We have someone come in to try and earn our business at least 3 times a week and a host of phone calls.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Here is a picture of some shirts hanging up at a gym.