Consult a CPA or real estate attorney to understand tax implications, build a reserve fund for unexpected costs, and research local regulations to ensure a smooth and profitable transition into rental property ownership.Good luck!

I have a 4 unit that has a mortgage and consistently nets me 25-35k after everything each year including reserves.

This will build naturally and organically.When I started, I had nothing, knew nothing, and knew no one. 

It’s now estimated that Texas has 31.29 million residents, up from the 2020 count of 29.15 million.But Texas also ranked as the top state in the nation for domestic migration and natural increases over the past year.

It is naturally insulated and it captures passive heat with strategically placed windows.

The down fall is a Heloc can "Never" be used as an asset or for PITI reserves required when buying a new Primary or investment property.A heloc can also cause major issues with credit and one slight hiccup or missed payment the bank or lender who is holding the Heloc can close or reduce your line of credit.

Prepare financially by saving for down payments, improving your credit score, and setting aside emergency reserves.

And, even then, hitting your rate target would still be extremely challenging unless you were paying points up front, in which case it would probably make more sense to just try to put in a bigger down payment (or pay down the balance if refi) instead and get better terms naturally offered at the lower LTV.

I will still use alt. lenders from time to time depending on the circumstances but I will also achieve similar LTC financing through traditional banks and when I go to my capital partners with a term sheet for 85% LTC through a traditional bank with a fully capitalized interest reserve, healthy contingency funds and soft costs built in and the real estate great, its far easier to raise capital because far less equity is required to fund the deal but this all starts with the quality of the real estate.

If you'd ask this question while still employed I'd say apply the $8500 toward knocking down the debt quicker but since that is not the case I would build up your reserves to about 6 months then begin applying those funds to bring down the debt.