I’m really trying to nail down the details of this strategy and hope this thread helps someone else as well. 

I am currently looking into a HELOC and I like this strategy as an option.

Figuring out how to work with those items with modern day building materials and strategies took some brainstorming.

As I'm trying to approach this with a solid strategy, here's where I stand and what I'm contemplating:1.

Literally in a matter of a few hours, I have been given more useful information than my current "connections" in working with! 

Thank you in advance for any new strategies.

My long term goal was “get rich”, and my strategy for any investment was “make money”, LOL.  

:) A good agent will meet up with you for a few hours, and along with educating you on the entire buying process (financing, contracts, inspections, what to expect in negotiations, etc) they will also be able to guide you by running comps and telling you if the home is priced well, as well as discovering any issues preventing the property from selling (liens, disputes)...Not sure about CA and AZ, But I have a buddy who renovated his dental office without pulling permits, and when the city found out, they made him literally gut it and redo it with permits.I would urge you having some conversations with agents in your area. interview a couple, and they should guide you in the right direction.

My rough strategy is buy SFH (older but (semi) recently remodeled B- to A- properties in good areas likely to continue appreciating and attracting good, trouble-free tenants) 0% down VA (may consider a small amount on second property, like up to 3% just to speed things along) and stay in it as my own primary residence until at least 10% of purchase price paid off and able to cashflow 300+/ month after mortgage, taxes, insurance and 15% set aside for repairs, vacancy, and maintenance (like I said, I'm not overly interested in rental RE, so I want to be sure it's lower effort and worth my time in return).

Second,  do you have a marketing strategy for either LTR or STR?