The loan terms vary, but 1.5% of the outstanding balance each month is very typical for minimum HELOC payments. 

The second mortgage lender would of course be in second position to initial lender (if there is still an outstanding mortgage).

historically buy n hold over long term has produced outstanding return.  

Historically they have produced outstanding return. 

After 3 months, there are still outstanding issues.

I had to do a few letters of explanation for a couple outstanding debts I had.

I tend to want to pay it off because it worries me that it’s outstanding.

Maybe I’m just lucky, but I’ve scaled up to 17 buy n hold properties and all my vendors, RE agents, contractors, insurance companies, property management team etc have been outstanding.

I had outstanding experiences with most of my stays.

Assuming that markets are efficient and priced appropriately and that you cannot afford to purchase in your own outstanding market, I recommend a market where you have trusted friends or family that may be able to provide some insight and potentially some help if necessary.