Best financing options for a first time investor?

[Jacob Hrip]

While it appears many rookie investors tend to struggle to hit the ground running due to lack of capital / financing, I have the opposite problem. I've never purchased an investment property but want to begin my investing journey in 2025. My wife inherited a duplex from her mother that we have rented out since 2019 and we purchased our own home in 2020. Conservatively speaking, we probably own $70k in equity in the duplex and $50k in our own home.

In the limited research I've done, a HELOC seems like an ideal form of financing a BRRRR property. However, a relative of mine has also expressed interest in investing their own funds into this venture and splitting the proceeds.

Again, i'm as new as can be to the world of real estate investing. can anyone offer advice on which form  of financing might be the most advantageous for a first time investor? Thank you!