I know there are ways to bypass realtors and find comps of my own but I would much rather leave this step to a professional for the most accurate results.

Charleston rocks it will out perform most if not many other markets over time..

The debt you put on a property will determine how it performs to an extent cash flow wise.Bottom line with banks is they see interest rates rising eventually.

Hey, I am a new investor in New Jersey, I am hoping to meet a mentor who performs fix and flips throughout the tri state area (mostly nj though). 

Unfortunately, the home's mortgage is held in our names, and I performed a quit-claim deed to move the ownership into the name of the LLC.My question - how can I (legally) get a home equity loan to tap into my 25%+ capital?  

this doesn't taken into account your cash-on-cash return if leveraging. also, I find this rule to not be very accurate for most people.

Doubles in Irvington (good parts of irvington) perform very well.  

I think the assessment of the neighborhood at C- is probably accurate.

How Are You Performing Your Tenant Screening?

If your one lender bets wrong on the direction of rates or underwrites a large non-performing portfolio they could get a hair and start doing weird things.