Consider all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

@Seidy Lasker Wash sale rules apply to stock options if they are deemed "substantially identical" to a security sold at a loss within 30 days, such as options with similar expiration dates or strike prices.

Consider using an FHA loan to secure a 1–4 unit property with just 3.5% down and take advantage of tax benefits by living there for at least two years.

This location is in a 1mm population metro area, 230 units, and cost is about $1,800,000 all in.Limits of Insurance: Coverage:Liability and Medical Expenses$2,000,000/$4,000,000 Occurrence/Aggregate Comprehensive Business Liability$2,000,000 Any One Person Personal & Advertising Injury$4,000,000 Aggregate Products Completed Operations Aggregate$2,000,000 Any One Fire Fire Damage$25,000 Occurrence Customers' Goods Legal Liability Deductible: $0$25,000 Aggregate Sale and Disposal Liability Deductible: $1,000$10,000 Any One Person Medical Payments $1,000,000 Occurrence Hired Non-Owned$300,000 Each Employee Employee Benefits Liability$25,000/$25,000 Per Claim/Aggregate Employment Practices LiabilityLoc Class Desc Coverage Limit Ded Valuation Type 1 Self-StorageBlanket Building & Business Personal Replacement Cost Property $2,100,000 $25,000Earthquake IncludedSinkhole IncludedWindstorm or Hail Included 5%Business Income Actual Loss Sustained 24 MonthsPollution Clean-Up & Removal $100,000Employee Dishonesty $15,000Money & Securities - Inside $10,000Money & Securities - Outside $5,000Accounts Receivable $25,000Electronic Data $20,000Valuable Papers & Records $25,000Fine Arts $10,000Employee Personal Property $10,000Limited Pollutant Removal $25,000/$100,000Cosmetic Loss Limitation IncludedEquipment Breakdown Protection IncludedPremium, Fees, and Taxes: BOP Premium: $ 7,760.00Optional Terrorism Premium: $ 31.00Total Premium: $ 7,791.00Key notes:a.

This includes preparing the property for renters, pricing it right, marketing, application screening, collecting rent, dealing with unpaid rent and other lease violations, security deposit disposition, inspections, and so much more.

As I’m saving up for my first investment, I would like to learn more about the industry - and it would be nice to earn some income while doing so.Are there any specific skills or knowledge I need to secure a VA side gig? 

Quote from @Jordan Kaylor: I'm new to real estate investing and have secured a HELOC on my existing home.  

If the loan amount you are looking for is small relative to the value of the first and the second property combined, they are very well secured on a LTV%; ask for a 1% point lower rate.If you don't want to Cross Collateralize, do you have any CD's or MM you can transfer to this bank as collateral. 

There really isn't a safe, secure way for someone to protect their interests.

We have secured a home equity loan against our home (which we own out right with no mortgage payment).