I am financially free with ~$10-17k/mo cashflow.

Purchase Terms: Clearly outline the terms for your brother to purchase the property from you, including the timeline and price.To minimize the financial burden on your HELOC, refinance the property into a traditional mortgage as soon as possible.                                                                                           

How much should I consider the impact to the higher interest rates of today?

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

Now of course there are still deals to be had out there, I am not saying that, but its a lot harder to find those deals today than five years ago when everything was a deal due to low interest rates.We are always buying but this is my business, so we have a team etc. to manage it.

The reality is most financially independent people went through a decade + of working 60-80 hours a week.

You'll need more capital and most will require a personal guarantee and personal financial backing. 

I did the partnership for the same reason investors do them today.  

Caution:  Personal credit card financing is a huge risk and good luck finding 0 percent interest today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?