Newbie looking for advice on how to start my REI journey!!!

[Hector Valles]

We have been reading, listening and studying on Bigger Pockets for months. So excited to start investing, just need some advice to point me in the right direction. Current situation:

We live in So Cal and our Home is currently worth about $560k-$580k. Owe $390k. We both have stable jobs with credit scores of about 700. Had a bankruptcy in 2010.  Only other debt is $10k vehicle loan and $1,500 credit card debt.

Our goal is to start investing in buy and hold rental properties. We prefer to buy something in our area but we are open to out of state properties. Also, should we sell our home and use the equity for our first investment, or get a HELOC out? We were even considering getting a HELOC out, then renting our house out.

Any and all advice are welcome!!!

THANKS BP COMMUNITY!!!