Does it make sense to get a HELOC first (100K max, 5 years at 5%), use that 100K (or less) as a down payment for a multi-family...Then do a COR on the duplex to pay off the HELOC + have some extra cash leftover to buy another property or pay down debt?

If you have some extra time and want to learn more about RE, getting that isn't a bad idea.

If it was me I would voluntarily go as long as the women was a good person who deserves to keep her daughter.

I always like to ask for a separate letter for my personal records addressing the 'as is' cash value of the property as well for a few extra dollars. 

One without stereotyping, all of nothing language and an acknowledgement that wholesaling as a tool has a place in the Investor kit.That's my opinion, but tends to get drowned out by people with way too much time on their hands for typing.Hope that helps.I rarely do quote responses in my post replies but this one deserves to be posted again.

Interested in this because of greater margins and easier to rent basements or extra rooms in my personal home.

Is the extra effort worth it if I am only gonna do it part time, or should I just hold off until I can buy my first rental property?

I have a rental property so extra documents included things like leases, proof of no HOA on the rental property, etc.

Do I stay at 400k. assuming it still cashflows (cashflows based upon when I move out) albeit less than a 500k prop, dont pay the extra in taxes, keep more money on hand because Im not paying additional taxes but also DP reserves etc will be lower or is it worth it to make the stretch to 500k leaving me with less cushion for any mistakes I make?

We aggressively attacked the monthly payments with extra principle and paid off the 86k loan in 3.5 years.