One thing to be aware of, and I hope that this never happens to any of you guys, is my connected bank link somehow failed or became disconnected?

Looks like Whitestone is failing. 

If the owner submits a completed application before the servicer starts the state foreclosure process, the servicer can't foreclose until the following occurs:the borrower doesn’t qualify for, or rejects, the lender’s loss mitigation options, orthe borrower accepts a loss mitigation offer but fails to fulfill its requirements."

Noone knows everything, and everyone makes mistakes, but if we aren't always learning, we will always be failing to some extent.

I always look back at the previous year, and without fail, the best deals we get are in December and January. 

If this is your first investment and your first property, the quickest way to fail is to create an uneven playing field.

Small details like a handrail on stairs or window locks can cause your unit to fail an inspection, delaying the start of rent payments.

;(- if as-is value is less then the balance on the mortgage + arears OOOPS you need to have the owner work with the bank, you as the investor buyer AND a short sales expert often an agent work the tedious and usually failing short sale process. 

And, know this:  The #1 reason that Landlords fail is their failure to manage to the lease (source: American Apartment Owner's Assn).  

That is an upfront game plan with numbers that should be somewhat fail proof if done correctly.Lastly dont forget that 85% of people who take out a HELOC end up doing a refinance within 3 years to consolidate into one loan.