Start small with manageable deals, educate yourself continuously, and build a strong network and team to support your growth.

Yes, that's the way to do it, but I wouldn't rely on a property manager or realtor for that.

Did you ever find a solution for a 3rd position heloc?

Best thing to do is start by reading The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods.

If you have this debt and need money, you may not be preparing yourself for the challenges of being a landlord.

2) If you do owner-occupied cashout refi for best rate, you technically have to live in the home for 12 months before renting it out. * Some responders here may suggest not worrying about that and renting it out anyways.

I do truly want to hold on to it and I think I'm just nervous to change my manager, though I don't feel it is going as well as I'd like it to.

You can make the determination by examining the mechanical systems yourself and finding out their age or hiring an inspector to evaluate the systems.

Their solution was for me to take over ownership of not one but five homes from Jeff's portfolio, all of which I had sold him and subsequently leased.Despite my being patently unfinanceable, the bank president placed a bet on me because I knew the homes, I knew the tenants, I knew what I was doing, and I was rabidly hungry.

You may have to search a bit for the right contractor or engineer - sometimes I see one solution dominating in an area - "that is how we always do it"