You will probably find a more favorable interest rate with a refi than HELOC. 

If you setup a Solo 401k with a more flexible provider, you can get access to participant loans as well as invest into real estate and still have the ability to open an account for the plan with a brokerage.

The extra cost is worth the immense time savings, and you'll get a more quality result.MANY other lessons learned, as this was my first deal.Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

@Andreas Thuresson If it’s an investment only then you have to weigh buying in a stable area with lower returns or a more risky or developing area with higher returns.

@David Fawcett you will probably need to include a city or a more specific area than Northern KY.

It might be a more balanced 4-6%.This isn't exactly what you're asking , but I just read the winter 2018 Fannie Mae report on multi-units in Denver (i.e.: apartment rentals).

Especially for a front-ended note with a conservative LTV.That said, how would I DECREASE the note buyer's return to a more reasonable 12% or so? 

Then you can read a more in-depth book like The Book On Rental Property Investing by @Brandon Turneror The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss.2.

I'm sure there is some value in taking a more personal route with the education, but it wasn't my priority.   

After the year I plan on keeping things as is, so that net cash flow can mitigate any rental expense that I myself incur (i pay 525 mo for a 1 bed apartment).Do you guys think its a good idea to get a source of passive income in the midwest (where I currently work), to offset my rental expense, and future rental expense if i ever decide to move to a more expensive area?