New investor in planning stage - using equity to finance.

[Lillian Morata]

Hi BP, 

New member here just starting my journey. I'm trying to learn as much as possible and already decided my initial financing strategy for my first property will be using the equity in my personal home. My question is, if I'm using a HELOC, should I or should I not include the monthly interest on that HELOC in my analysis of the cash on cash return? And if there are any answers, can you please include why or why not? Also, are there any good recommendations on meetups in the Bay area, specifically the East Bay? Thanks a lot!