I leveraged a HELOC on my first property in the amount of $200K and utilized that as a warchest to start acquiring cash flowing multifamily.

What was your strategy to acquire duplexes? 

During the past four years we've helped investors acquire 50+ apartments throughout Oregon. 

Got some IO and also 30 year amortization for some of the BTR product we have acquired. 

@Daniel Sabatoif you just have 'home equity' and no cash... i think that won't cut it.how many SFHs did you acquire?

I have had to take my rentals out of my LLC's to acquire a second on one rental and a HELOC on another. 

Acquire the history usage from the utility company and just divvy it up between the units into the rent. 

George Washington acquired a significant amount of land this way, and shortly after acquiring such created SYNDICATIONS (he later used JOINT STOCK COMPANIES when they came into existence) to raise the capital needed for development.  

If I acquire the second property with full cash, that's at least an instant equity which I may be able to tap into for 3rd, 4th,..assuming properties rise in value over time. 

I have a 2 bedroom 1 bath in highly sought after Judson Mill area of downtown Greenville, but haven't decided what I'm doing with it yet as I have several other projects going on right now.Most of my rental portfolio has been acquired from tax lien sales.