Metrowest in general is also very desirable.  

The routes I could take is in these markets with a conventional loan, find a property in a more desirable area that needs with and try to go hard money, or save more to get into a conventional loan in a more desirable location, or a partnership with someone that can bring equity to the deal.This would be a second home for me, so unfortunately FHA house hacking isn't an option.Thanks in advance,-Mike

An underwriter needs to review, it’s not recommended to open any new accounts while in the process you might get delayed if found..Remember even though you can use your Heloc for anything you desire it’s not recommended to tell Bank you are using Heloc for investing.

Not that the owner of or vendor for some aviation product  does not post they do.. but its always something to do with aviation safety.. and not what you get on BP with some of the folks on this site that simply post the exact same things every time on the threads that involve their business and their desire to make money form BP posters to sell their products or services..

This wasn't a steal by any means, but my tenants are paying my mortgage, it's a tax shelter, it's appreciating in a very desirable part of town (and rapidly growing), and I'm even cash-flowing ~$50 on top of all that with maintenance, insurance, and utilities figured in.

Yes, I would definitely apply the cash from a would be sale to use toward down payment of a property that is more desirable or toward a multiplex where I can occupy one of the units4.

If your remodel is done well, this will become a more desirable couple units.  

I am in Tampa and located a house in a desirable neighborhood and got it under contract.  

The current and historical numbers meet most if not all of the metrics I use for SFH investments (1% rule, 50% rule, desirable tenants, historically appreciating area), so from that standpoint I'm itching to pull the trigger. 

This has given me a unique perspective to be a small part of the action, but at a distance where I do not reap the real rewards (to be fair, my seat comes without the risk as well).As I am sure is the case with most everyone in this community, I realized one thing I strongly desire in life is financial freedom.