Heloc vs taxable investment account

[Martin Silverstrim]

I'm just getting into this. Have a good full time government job, decent savings in 401k, am also locked in for my National Guard pension in two years ( but cant collect until I'm 60) and have my home paid down to 80% of value. Wondering if it would be better to access a HELOC or use some savings and taxable investment account (about 50k in it) to finance an initial purchase of a multifamily (preferred) or a single family property. For my first deal, I'm looking to Detroit, Indianapolis, or Tenessee.