@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

To sacrifice a good tenant, which is hard to come by these days in favor of higher rent, may not be the trade-off that you need or possibly want.

@Brian Chadwick A cash out refinance might offer more favorable interest rates than your HELOC provides.

This is why so many companies are leaving states like California.Pro-business environment: Companies want to focus on their core business, not fight anti-business policies.Significant infrastructure: Companies favor cities with substantial airports, freeway systems connecting to other cities, and more.

You as a first-time investor have far more Risk Adjusted favorable REI strategies than any guru or longtime investor.B.  

Airbnb closed the case in our favor.

Places like San Antonio might present more favorable cap rates, from what I read in Forbes recently.Refinancing could free up equity if today’s loan terms are more attrative, though that depends on current interest rates and the property’s updated value.

Subdivisions of build to sell are favorable to local SFR landlords because more rooftops means more retail and dining, which makes a more desirable rental area. 

Good to know too that loan terms would be more favorable with a conventional or FHA loan than a refi.

One approach that I have not seen included in the discussion is as you are still in the planning phase, you could change your approach and the facts to make it more favorable for your strategy.