Check out Grand Rapids Michigan. 

@Tj M. I

Quote from @Steven M.: I am planning to take out a home equity loan for an investment property, which will be purchased under my LLC. 

Hey Celine, great questions.Our firm invests in Michigan and Ohio, with 90% of our holdings in southeast Michigan.

Any known groups in MI that I could join?

My wife and i are just starting out in real estate investing in the Grand Rapids, Mi market.

I am with @Allen Maris. 

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEDUCTING HELOC OR MORTGAGE INTEREST. i*(M + H) = i*M + i*H. i = interest, M = mortgage balance, H = HELOC balance.

I'm out of Lansing, MI and we are a great market for cash flowing, $150k - $200k type 2-4 unit properties.

Quote from @Mary Jo Carruthers: I have seen houses where folks did it anyways without the permit but that is really value destroying as it will make it very unlikely to sell for top dollar with that layout.