The discipline to run on a budget for a number of years or decades depending on your math, doesn't factor in emergencies or market changes where the HELOC could be used to invest in other places.

I did have to pay points (and we locked in just before the interest rates went up again) but the math showed it was worth it to me in the long run to pay it up front as I'm a long term holder.  

This requires doing math, patience and a learning curve.

We use all these fancy numbers and metrics to say whats a good or bad market but end of day, all that jazz is just our way of trying to put "where people want to live" into math.

I have also done the math and my account over the next 20 years will grow larger assuming a flat 7% return by taking loans then not. 

It’s never as simple as it first appears, which is why we always advise our clients to let the math guide the choice.

If we assume $1285 in gross rent, or $5140 per month for the quad, the 8% PM fee would amount to $411 per month or $4930 per year after year 2.Now if we do some simple math:$18600- 6240 for miscalculated rent- 4457 for miscalculated HOA dues= $7903 in cash flow per year. 

I’m currently selling my main house and wanted to house hack but the only multi family properties coming on the market are like $1.2 million for a duplex and it just doesn’t math :/ Home prices here have always seemed to be higher than most areas. 

It sounds like you might be doing a little eraser math (making a deal work from not estimating enough for costs) so beware of that.

I recommend a simple spreadsheet to check your math and it will make it simple to adjust each year.End the complaints.