@Mathew Gunkel, I know it's emotionally logical to put your primary up for extra risk as a last resort, rather than first cab off the rank, BUT, that's why the PURPOSE for the loan should be really carefully considered in the first place.In case I came across as someone who knows what they are talking about, I don't actually know the HELOC rules/interest that Lenders have regarding using your primary as security vs your investment.

We have discussed selling it but 1) we like the location and think of gifting it to our child when he comes of age 2) we have some emotional attachment.  

This kind of thinking is emotionally based and does not take into account affordability, price/rent ratio, net present value or other rational factors.Per The Economist, "If you take the 24 years covered by the US data and divide them into three, then the average house price gain when real rates were high was greater (at 2.25%) than when real rates were low (1.7%)".So how does this play out in a long term negative interest rate environment?

Sounds like you bought with emotion .  

The beauty of commercial is that its all about the numbers and not emotion

Seeking advice on an emotional roller coaster.

I do my best not to get emotional over properties, but I'll confess to suffering some anguish over a few that were on my watch list that went under contract right at the end of the O/O only offer period.The offer & negotiation process was pretty straight forward for each.

You need to know how to handle your tenants in dangerous situations where emotions run highYou should spend much time in educating yourself as to all aspects of this business.Office equipment is just as important as buying that house.You need to learn how to keep your rentals not just how to buy them.And a good financial software program to see where you stand financially.You should spend much time on Bigger Pockets :) because you will learn a lot of stuff for free. 

I was in a very emotional place at the time and did not make the best decision for myself and had bad guidance as a 1st time homebuyer.

These are very important words to live by, you must always separate the emotion and the business, its about building wealth through value.I think we are seeing the polar opposite today in Cleveland, we have a crazy surge in new construction apartments along with massive conversion of commercial to residential, with a 99% occupancy rate.