You might get these days 60% leverage so you'll likely need 40% down payment plus reserves and the financial institutions will want you to keep those capital reserves in their institution.If you are a new investor, there's a couple of opportunities to get started. 

The specific assistance organization, the screening of the tenant, the property, and the PM company that should be communicating with the tenant all play a role in the success of your investment in regards to tenants.

I got approved for a HELOAN on my primary property but not sure if I should take the loan to just use as “leverage/reserves” to show the HML and get funded.

@Robert EllisAre you leveraging construction-to-permanent loans or private funding?

Build a strong brand, leverage content marketing, and establish a personal brand to attract investors and build credibility.

Pairing that with relationship-building will help you uncover off-market opportunities and find local experts who can guide you.For meetups, here are a few ideas:Indianapolis Real Estate Investors Association (Indy REIA): They have a mix of virtual and in-person events and are a good starting point for networking with other investors in the Indy market.Louisville Real Estate Investors Group (REIG): A similar organization for the Louisville market, with educational and networking opportunities.Check out BiggerPockets Meetups: Many cities have local meetups organized by investors active on BiggerPockets, and they often include virtual options.Facebook Groups: Look for local investing groups like "Indianapolis Real Estate Investors" or "Louisville REI."

I want to minimize my leverage as much as I can for my first one, just to give me the best chance of success.Got it, @Geoff Engel!

You would not want to over-leverage the property though.  

It often takes new organizations similarly long times to get that sort of information.

Leverage Tax Deductions:Claim tax deductions for mortgage interest, depreciation, HOA, insurance, and property taxes.