The second of two homes I bought when I sold the rental, I would have bought a more expensive one as the one I got was close to the university and tended to attract students which had higher turn over (though it may also be my local market).I'd also look up how to do a 1031 (I think that is what it's called, I'm not in the US) where you defer capital gains taxes on rentals by buying another within a set period of time.

Cost segregation is a great tax strategy when applicable.

Alternatively, you could skip the cameras and post signs everywhere (and in your marketing) and just claim you have cameras.

It also depends on the situation sometimes a HELOC is warranted for short term financial needs so long as you have a plan to get back in the same or better financial position afterwards and the "means," and "will," to carry out this financial or mortgage plan- HELOC's are typically full documentation qualifying loans so you'll need actual income to qualify whether it be from pension, insurance, rental's, etc that are all fully documented on taxes, W2's, 1099 forms, etc.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51-tax-legal-issues-con...

Once you understand LLC and irrecoverable trust would give you more harder time getting financing, then you start having second opinion, this is also true for what people hearing about this and that tax advantage in real estate and stuffs.

What about taxes and insurance, how much are those?

You can also take them to small claims court but you cannot get water from a stone.

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).

No down payment means you invest for nothing, take advantage of principal paydown and tax advantages and maximize your BAH to do so.