How can I Leverage the equity in my home

[Greg Hayes]

Hi everyone and thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer. I’m am a soon to be out of state, real estate investor. I want to buy and hold single family and small multi-family homes. I want to do this for the short term cash flow and long term equity. 
I currently own my own home and am wondering how I can leverage the equity in my home to buy my first rental property. I have looked into helocs but am concerned about variable interest rate associated with them. What are some other options I could be looking into?  I would love answers but would love resources to help me learn the process even more. 
thank you 

Greg