Just understand that there are two sides to these transactions.

They would have to see your financials to understand the market. 

Also start talking to lenders now to understand their requirements 

Work their commission into your numbers, especially if they understand novations. 

Make sure to provide clear disclosures to the seller about the risks involved, especially regarding the existing mortgage staying in their name.Insurance Considerations – You’ll need to work with an insurance agent who understands sub-to deals, as the lender might require a policy that keeps the seller as the named insured.Due-On-Sale Clause – While banks rarely call loans due, it’s still a possibility.

Understand what problem they want solved.

Since this would be my first long term rental property do you recommend starting with a property manager from the beginning or managing the property myself.I understand that there are pros and cons to all of these scenarios, I'm just looking for various insights.

Make sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.

Quote from @Jaycee Greene: I completely understand and I'm sure my fingers are a lot fatter than mine ;-) If you only borrowed $155k, I assume you did a conventional bank or credit union DSCR loan, is that right? 

My understanding is Heloc since its a line of credit can be drawn anytime so say you buy the property with and the ac goes on a heloc you could use that to pay for it where the home equity has a period/ gives all the cash upfront.