Then after that is achieved, we will begin saving for a down payment on our first house that we plan to buy in the next 2-4 years.

High rent growth areas are likely to achieve positive cash flow quicker than low rent growth areas.  5 years for cash flow seems reasonable in many markets.  

I believe it is gathering STR data which is only partially relevant.

You should really analyze your options, as data should make your decision easier:)How much have you been making on the STR?

Go to a local realtor next time the appeal process is open and ask them to do a CMA on your place and use that data for your evidence when appealing with the county.

Why are they selling if it's achieving one-percent rule? 

I don't know that Crexi has any information on the owners, just data on multi and apartments.Based on a Zoom call I was on last week it sounds like Crexi is stepping its game up trying to compete in the CRE world.

My goals would be to increase monthly cash flow and have more access to the property's equity for things like Cap Ex, etc....Here's a blurb from a lender's website:"By combining banking functionality with home financing into one dynamic instrument, borrowers are able to save tens of thousands of dollars and years off their loan""Designed after popular programs around the world, the All In One First Lien HELOC is the nation’s first transactional offset type-mortgage program.Home financing and banking combined:Deposits lower your loan’s principalFunds remain available for expensesInterest is calculated on the average daily balanceThis lowers the monthly interest paymentsTens of thousands of dollars can be saved over the life of the loanMortgage freedom can be achieved in half the time or less

Like others noted, I would not send any sensitive data to this seller without first vetting the chain of ownership.  

Hello @Amanda Skipper,While there's no better way to truly get a feel for a market than by being on the ground and exploring the neighborhoods firsthand, I want to assure you that investing remotely is absolutely doable—and many successful investors do just that.In fact, I know several investors who have built substantial portfolios in Memphis, and they’ve never physically visited the city, and they've done so successfully by leveraging local expertise, market data, and a solid support network.