@Jacob Hrip For a first-time investor, financing options like a HELOC or private funding depend on your strategy and risk tolerance.

Start with $8K through FHA loans, joint ventures, private money loans, crowdfunding platforms, and BRRRR strategy.

What are some other emerging markets maybe with a bit lower to cost to entry for a BRRRR strategy?

The takeaway here probably boils down to the fact that there aren't a lot of markets that cash flow today with yesterday's strategy. 

. - some strategies I've seen California investors use to lessen negative cash flow: house hacking, mid-term rentals (people temporarily displaced from home renovation or insurance reasons like fire), rent by the room, Short Term Rentals. - The ultimate house hack, live in the small ADU unit and rent out the two levels of the main house on AirBnb in San Francisco (I would have thought STRs are oversaturated in S.F. but it worked for them and they stay fully booked).

Watch out for ordnances and HOAs with this strategy. 

With markets adapting to changing economic conditions, now is the time to explore innovative investment strategies.

My strategy is long term buy and hold.

The classic BRRRR strategy could work great here.

If you're tax bill is $6-8k (minus the 1031 fees), surely you can make that up by taking multiple swings over a longer period of time.OR pursue some sort of owner occupied strategy with that cash if you can swing a live in flip or house hack.