Here’s how to find a broker you can trust:Ask for Referrals: Reach out to fellow investors or real estate agents for recommendations.Check Credentials: Look for brokers who are licensed and members of professional organizations, such as the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB).Review Their Track Record: Ask about their experience with real estate investment loans and request client testimonials.Interview Multiple Brokers: Prepare questions about their lender network, fees, and typical loan turnaround times.Evaluate Their Communication: Choose someone who listens to your needs and provides clear, honest advice.4.

Quote from @Hunter Hanlon Taylor: Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

I'm very new to investing and weighing which options would benefit me the most.Option 1:  Use the cash as down payment on another primary residence and rent out the current.

It was my primary residence for two years before I turned it into an investment property.

Honestly, I’ve been around long enough to see 50-year loans, interest-only mortgages, and 40-year mortgages with balloon payments after 15 or 30 years.

Lastly, you won't be able to HELOC (or any cash-out equity) and 2-4 unit property in TX while it is still your primary residence.

They are pure GARBGE. 3 months after they issued my premium I still get calls from their clowns to sign something and that insurance is not bound....I dont believe they are operating a insurance company, likely a scam artist to be honest  Sounds like this is an issue with their call center/in-house agency? 

AT MOST you rent it out for 2 years and then sell it but honestly you’re probably better off just selling it.Assuming zero vacancy and zero capex you’re going to make about $12k/yr.

HELOCs are fine, but keep in mind that you really only want to use 50 percent of less (each) of your available equity just so you aren't creating a problem that you can't solve later if the value of your personal residences fluctuates.If you both have W2 jobs though, have you looked into getting qualified together and just getting a loan, 10 percent down each?

Honest... not great but we had other tax reasons to get into them.