What Exactly is a HELOC? Should I use this method to snowball RE?

[Jonathan Jaime Velarde]

Greetings!

I've been told by a handful of investors to start my RE investing career by acquiring a 2-4plex via FHA/VA loan, live in one unit, rent the others out. After a reasonable amount of time to take out a HELOC and refinance to conventional loan and purchase another 2-4plex...and to keep doing this process until I can build up enough $$$ to pursue my goals in RE.

When I leave the military in summer 2018 I'll have roughly 20K cash and 20K in a Roth IRA (also $0 debt). I'll be living in Thousand Oaks, CA, hopefully attending UCLA with the Post 9/11 GI bill. While going to school I'll be living at parents' to save, save, save.

If any of you have been in my shoes or have any advice I'd love to hear it! 

Very Respectfully,

Jonathan Velarde