However, we're considering selling to buy a primary residence where we live though. 

Are you buying the house as a an owner occupied, or as a rental? 

I know that many of my fellow investors buy in the actual city of Detroit and their furnaces, water heaters, etc. are stolen from their properties. 

They expect to make money on it, so if you shouldn’t buy it.

Once you feel you've built a strong team with your first property and have solid systems in place, I would then start buying more aggressively and taking on bigger projects.I suggest reading this BP article on the core 4.https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/core-four-real-estate-team

We will be using a HELOC as down payment, however what can we expect when buying a distressed property in B/C neighborhoods in Akron for a BRRRR?

Then when you do that, why would they want to buy at more than your purchase price? 

We looked at some places on the island, our agent didn't tell us "never buy anything there," but he did warn us of a couple things. 

Most of my customers in CA tend to buy their primary in Cali but build their investment portfolio outside the state.

I am wanting to expand my portfolio and buy a multifamily rental here in Austin, Nashville or any other market that makes sense to grow with.