Yes I am still with AA, and I am still very happy with all the services they provide me.  

Gator most of the risk is on the person providing the earnest money.

House hacking is an excellent strategy, especially with the potential to use an FHA loan to secure a property with a low down payment. 

Good luck on your journey and I hope you provide the financial security you hope for to your daughters. 

Good Morning,I am a former Claims Specialist with the Social Security Administration and currently unemployed homeowner who is looking for guidance on how to gain property management experience here in the Central Coast of California.My wife is the only one working at the moment, so times are tough to say the least.We're looking to rent out a portion of our home in order to save up enough money to purchase our second home (or multi-family unit), rent that out, and begin to expand our portfolio. 

Quote from @Jordan Kaylor: I'm new to real estate investing and have secured a HELOC on my existing home.  

As a result, competing against seasoned investors in the multifamily space can be challenging, especially for newcomers or those with less capital to deploy.On the other hand, single-family homes (SFH) are typically the go-to choice for primary homebuyers, who are not always as cash-rich as investors but can still secure financing through conventional loans.

The building next to yours looks much nicer and has THREE security vehicles parked in front.

I completely agree with @Ashish Acharya's points about the cost-effectiveness of a HELOC and the potential credit implications if it’s secured by your primary residence.

From what I can tell, the extra equity on the house could be utilized to provide better ROI.