While many people brag about the high returns they make the business comes with many inherent risks and it requires 27/7 work, worries, management and extra high management costs that long-term rentals and multi-unit properties don't have.With $125k to invest I would definitely invest in no less than a 4-plex where your profits are almost exponential when you increase rents and the rent increases result in both higher profits and an instantly higher re-sale value for the property.

Bigger Pockets gave me the knowledge to see the ROI instantly.

. - do not allow 0 review guests to instant book (we will decide whether or not to rent to them based off of their inquiry message)- only host people recommended by other hosts- make sure you have security cameras that face all entrances to the property (also you will need to specify that they are ON AND RECORDING in the listing - just disclosing the locations and that they are there is not enough apparently) 

It might not be instant change but we have those checks and balances that come into play. 

I am a licensed RE agent and I deliberately searched for properties that were well under "move in ready" so that I could establish instant sweat equity.

There was a snake oil salesmen selling courses on how to double and triple your rental income, instantly.

Not only will you gain instant access to many thousands of dollars, but if you use the HELOC as your checking account you'll also pay off your house in a few short years, not decades later.HELOCs cost you less than REFIs.HELOCs charge interest on used balance; REFIs charge interest on every dollar you have access to.HELOCs can replace emergency savings, meaning, you can keep that 15k as interest-sheltering equity in the HELOC.You can't lose with a HELOC.

Use the money to buy a 4-plex and become an instant millionaire, or close.

You make more instant cash when you sell the homes.

See the NCREC website for details or feel free to DM me.Keep in mind a few things in regard to your bullet points:1) Finding deals before others: The MLS updates almost instantly on Zillow/ Redfin etc.