He owns 1031 Federal Exchange and is also a tax attorney. 

Over the many years I've owned this place, I've only once deducted minimally from the security deposit because a tenant left an extreme mess. 

Quote from @Andrew Newcomb: I'm really curious about buying out of state (or anywhere) wherever I can get the best ROI.

Looks like a lot of your own capital into the deal, but you learn more from being in the game.

I mean how else would Sellers (or even perhaps buyers) know that you own a neighborhood? 

Having owned property in rockford its not a great appreciation area so getting a HELOC will probably take 5-10 years based on loan pay down and maybe some slight appreciation.

I have purchased one duplex using my own money and am looking to scale but wanting to leverage OPM or low or zero downpayment funding options. 

The title search would likely happen simultaneously to your own due diligence and the lender's due diligence so it wouldn't really be separate steps.

AAPL is another one  that is just a private organization that teach's folks how to lend their own money or others in states its legal and they have courses and info and a big convention etc and you get to say your certified AAPL lender ..

If you're counting on getting some financial aid for your children's education, you'll want to take a good look at how owning an investment property (negatively) impacts financial aid.