Insight/advice needed for current situation

[Christopher Roome]

I’m brand new into the real estate game and have a question about my current situation, and also a question about an investing strategy. 

Due to life events I'm being forced to upgrade out of my townhome, which I currently own and have about a 135% ROI after I recoup my down payment. I have enough capital for roughly 15-25% down pending on cost. My dilemma is what to do with townhouse. I'm torn between renting it out for a monthly cash flow of a few hundred or selling and using the capital to purchase other properties. I have only a couple people in my life knowledgeable in real estate and none that I am really that close with.

I've been researching a lot into what niche I would like to start in and I keep coming back to purchasing bank owned properties on auction and re-listing slightly below value for a quick sell or minor repairs and quick sell. Would selling the townhouse and using the capital to start this venture be wise or should I use a HELOC on the townhouse while it's being rented out to help fund this venture and why?

Thanks to anyone in advance, I’m trying to learn as much as I can but I don’t have anyone to ask questions to!

-Chris