I don't understand why you were told to prefer NC over SC just based on property taxes.  

I would have your agent pull comps of other similar properties and see what the market value of similar properties would be and base my offer from that.

Split the net profits on the venuture based on the amount they contribute.What are several other ways (methods/techiques) we can help or work with  potential investors?

You may get a line of credit based on your credit but this is no where near what you could get under a HELOC.

(c) In an action for possession based upon nonpayment of rent in which the tenant asserts a defense to possession based upon the landlord's alleged breach of the warranty of habitability, upon the filing of the tenant's answer the court shall order the tenant to pay into the registry of the court all or part of the rent accrued after due consideration of expenses already incurred by the tenant based upon the landlord's breach of the warranty of habitability.

I realize this thread is 3 years old but I’m hoping I can solicit some renewed or updated opinions based on the hot 2019 market we now live in. 

If they are only seeking a check every month and the largest amount possible based on the equity of this other property then sure it's a fine decision.A couple other thoughts though:With a smaller multi-family a vacancy is felt more financially than with a larger one, but the extent of that is influenced by the market's local metro and property location; andWhy not use some of the equity from the property to fund the purchase of the smaller one and then have two properties generate (probably) the same amount of income or more with debt service on both.  

of NJ is based on local zoning laws.

I'm based in northern VA but was considering buy and holds in Reading, PA, particularly the 19604 zip code.  

A friend of mine recommended I reach out on Bigger Pockets, and sure enough you guys added clarity.I think I must have come across with shady intentions based on the feedback, but I absolutely was not.