Just be aware that (1) you can easily do whatever it is Tardus is selling much cheaper elsewhere (2) Tardus special investments for members only are mundane investments available at the same terms to anyone with a computer and internet connection and (3) the strategy of borrowing from a HELOC to juice returns carries with it a much greater risk than is apparently disclosed. 

I started in cheaper states and built up from there.

it sounds like you're really eager to deploy a bunch of capital into supposedly cheaper markets, but you're not going to cash flow $500 on a random single family anywhere unless you are self-managing and super hands-on and prepared to deal with rough turnovers.  

If anybody has any cheaper, alternative options to try first before resorting to a plumber and killing my CAPEX reserves, it would be greatly appreciated!

And these areas also have cheaper homes that can be found.

Renting an individual room is all but guaranteed to be cheaper than them renting a 1/1 apartment alone.

The older homes are much cheaper than the newer homes, and I'm not sure why.Yea.

We've used a roofer here recently and he is cheaper.

Purchasing in your name might be simpler and cheaper upfront, but you’d be personally liable for any legal issues.

Most banks allow you to export the full year of activity to excel.If you are not comfortable using excel - you should reach out to your accountant if he/she has a bookkeeper on staff and how much it would cost them to do your books.It may be cheaper overall for your accountant to do it if you just need the books to be done once a year instead of on a monthly basis.Furthermore, this saves you from having to pay for the software.