The only thing I have to add is to try and shop for a fixed rate HELOC to insulate yourself from rate creep.And your rates seems very high for a HELOC. 

So definitely shop around.

The answer is likely two-sided: 1) Your income and financial situation determines how much you can actually afford to spend on housing, and 2) You find housing that fits your needs and shop around for the best deal. 

I've known him 15 years, so it would be a trusted transaction, which I thought could be a good "safer" oath into my second rental.

He knew he needed a job, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.A series of odd jobs led to a position at a sign shop.

We have had inherited tenants (renting under market value) get frustrated we are raising the rent, but when we tell them to shop around before providing a decision, they have always chosen to stay.

They're safer in my view, completely passive, and will perform better over the next 5 years.

It is a property in west Chandler that I recently toured since my family is shopping for a primary residence, but it seemed like it might be interesting rehab project that I thought could work as a BRRRR.

Be very critical of the banks you borrow from and don’t be afraid to shop around.

I've also gotten in house appraisals from some of the local banks, Union Bank and Trust and Cattle Bank here in Nebraska when I was shopping around.