This goes a very long way in growing and maintaining mutual respect.

There are  additional fees incurred investing this way: membership fees, fees to maintain the entity that carries every deal you get involved with and possibly other non-disclosed fees. 

Currently, I have one LTR and aim to scale my portfolio while maintaining my day job.  

There're lot more engineers required just to maintain those junk lol. 

Maintaining records and copies of documents for retention purposes for a property I own is prudent business practice, a self managed HOA with ten units even knows this.

To manage properties effectively, ensure tenant satisfaction, maintain the property, and handle legal matters, hiring a property manager who is a member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) is an excellent choice.

Find a below market deal in a market where you can afford a property, while maintaining a capital cushion. 

I am curious what shape the house was when it was half-gifted to you because reading between the lines it seems like you squatted in the gift and didn't do any maintenance and don't really know anything about owning or maintaining a house.I also don't know why you want to get a rental and be a landlord when a house you got as a gift is a disaster.

Exactly like Nathan stated.... if they pay for it and its properly installed by a trained professional and they pay to maintain it..and its stays.... no problem

You want to make sure that it's paying itself down not just maintaining the HELOC.Some combination of that and cash should be pretty favorable for you!