@Marc Zak Using an LLC for each property provides strong liability protection by isolating risks to individual assets, with income and expenses flowing through to your personal taxes on Schedule E.

This creates two loan payments ($100,000 of equity and $300,000 on the new mortgage).Key NumbersHome Equity Loan Interest Rate: 6%Mortgage Interest Rate: 7%Rental Income: $3,000 per monthExpenses (management, taxes, insurance, maintenance): $800 per monthIncome and ExpensesMonthly Rental Income: $3,000Monthly Expenses: $800Monthly Mortgage Payment: $2,000ExplanationThe investor earns $3,000 in rent each month.They pay $2,000 on the investment property mortgage and $800 on other expenses.This leaves $200 profit each month or $2,400 per year.However, you have to pay $6,000 interest on the equity borrowed.This leaves you with an annual loss of $3,600.While the rental property generates positive monthly income, the interest cost of borrowing the initial $100,000 results in an overall loss.

Transcribing transactions from bank statements, posting transactions to the correct accounts, and then manually creating an income statement, statement of owner's equity and a balance sheet is a fairly time consuming process and I have not been able to keep up with the book keeping between my regular work responsibilities.What accounting software do people recommend? 

Jeremy Congratulations - I grew up in that area and cost of housing has skyrocketed while incomes have not, so there definitely is a need for affordable housing in that area (as well as pretty much everywhere else)

Not going to live off that income.

If the LLC and its income are entirely outside California, it typically does not require registration with the California Secretary of State (SOS) or payment of California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) fees, even if you reside in California.

I would slow down and think about your BUDGET, what you can get for $30k, and how you can increase your income.

$1 lent for $10 of income? 

I'm looking at monthly cost to seller vs. anticipated rental income, purchase price relevant to the ARV of the area and interest rate, balloon, etc.

@Charles Perkins is absolutely correct about "collecting all receipts, properly tracking all income and expenses and your basis for all assets properly documented and recorded."