Higher-quality areas attract tenants who are more reliable and tend to take better care of the property.

Does the revenue good enough at least to cover the mortgage payment?

The best deal I can find today is one that you buy cash, invest a rehab and when you pull out 75% of your ARV you leave maybe a small amount of money in the deal and you break even (BEFORE DISCOUNTING FOR VACANCY, REPAIRS, etc) Yes that means you leave like 10-25k in the deal and your payment becomes $3000/m and your rent is $3000 a month or slightly less.This is for my local market and for Class B or higher RE. 

Is it foolish to consider using the HELOC for the down payment?

During construction you'd have minimal payments, either IO or accrued.

Overcoming Common Financing HurdlesMortgage brokers excel at tackling challenges that often derail new investors:Low Down Payments: Brokers can find lenders offering low or no-down-payment loans, ideal for new investors with limited capital.Complex Income Streams: If you’re self-employed or have variable income, brokers can identify lenders that accept alternative documentation.Competitive Rates: Brokers have the leverage to negotiate better rates and fees, saving you thousands over the life of your loan.Pro Tip: Communicate your investment goals clearly with your broker so they can tailor their search to your needs, whether it’s a short-term fix-and-flip loan or a long-term rental property mortgage.3.

All channels can work, but some do pan out more reliably than others over the long haul.You’re prety likely eager to free up that mortgage.. and who could blame you?

Your $80K HELOC can serve as the down payment, as most lenders require 20%-25% of total project costs upfront.

My client had some things come up that prevented her from executing, but these were some of the options I had put together for her, a regional bank, a regional CU, and a national bank.Reminder that NOI sizes CRE debt, and that's often what determines the down payment requirement, not anything to do with the client or particular lender, just the property itself.

you may have to save up until you have enough money to do so - down payment, closing costs, reserves, etc.House Hacking: What Is It, How to Start, and Strategies for Successit's a more powerful way to get started.