Leaning toward keeping everything the same but not married to that idea. 

I lean more towards Brandon Mulrenin even though I am not a heavy cold caller. 

After one summer of STRs I came back in the winter took a first lean mortgage on the property to replace the roof (and build my RV which I plan on living in while renting in the summer).

Although, I will say I lean more towards the Tampa MSA.

If yes, I would probably lean towards owning your home rather than renting forever.

I had to deal with a lot more issues than I've ever had in non-S8 rentals like extensive property damage and also bed bugs, roaches, drain lines completely clogged up by grease (I learned what sewer worms are, look it up), spray paint art on walls and food on ceilings, noise complaints, police at the property, removing dead bodies, etc.  4.

However, if you think rates will decline in the next 2-3 years and you're deal flow will be intermittent (i.e. 1-2 deals a year with some months without activity) I would lean more towards the HELOC as you only pay interest on the amount you access/withdraw.

@Kelvin BoydDeciding to buy a property or wait for loan rate shifts leans on many parts.

I'd love to hear what decision you are leaning toward or have made in the last 12 months with this question in mind.

I allotted $20k for contingencies (could be considered very lean) so this would blow that amount before we've even started.