And: "The HELOC is just a tool that makes it convenient to keep all your extra money going toward the mortgage"!

@James Wise I'm getting lean in 2025 bro.

Yes - having a small trash can in each room is a nice touch—it shows attention to detail and makes your guests' stay more convenient.

@Josue Ramos,Huntsville could be worth checking out since you’re leaning towards appreciation over cash flow.

Let’s be honest, I’ve watched folks who jump into this game as if playing roulette.. firing off offers on duplexes in Phoenix or leaning on some “sure-thing” house hack in Austin without ever sketching out their plan.

Up until then I was cheerleading the earlier thought experiments about supporting lean/regular/fat income with ~$1000 / month per paid off SFH, thinking “I could bang that out in 5 years”.

With that capital, I’m planning to either dive into a larger multifamily project in Detroit or grab a small duplex or quad in San Francisco.To reach that $500k mark, I’m leaning on the power of cash-out refinancing.

@Brett Danehey, I would say that area is questionable, but I definitely lean toward the safer, more conservative side. 

If you have an immediate need for a large sum of cash, I'd lean cash out.

They will also dictate the terms of the loan, how it's filed, qualifications, etc.However, if you mean PML as in your friends/family that have NO experience in real estate and just have money sitting around...then I would certainly to counsel you to lean on some type of mentor or other experienced investor in Houston on what to do.