I'd have suggested a down payment assistance program for your first purchase.

He has been alongside me on the other deals so I’d like to give him equity/skin in the game and I don’t know how else to do itQuote from @Basit Siddiqi: Getting a property with a partner / friend will not help you from getting hosed on taxes.I wouldn't move forward - You mentioned beng a high income earner so your hourly rate is very high.

That’s leverage.One of the first routes I’d explore is seller financing.

There's plenty of this remote accountants/bookkeepers in BP.

Plenty of lenders able and willing to lend on properties owned by LLC's.

Plenty of people invest remotely, and as long as you have modest expectations (not chasing the highest possible yield), and are using light leverage, and don't get suckered into buying in a part of town that you wouldn't feel comfortable visiting in broad daylight, plenty of people do this and do... fine.

I served with plenty of guys that I wouldn't give you 5 cents for. 

It is an amazing city with great people and plenty of opportunities in the real estate space.

Heck, I'd pull from retirement to pay off the credit cards before I sell the property. 

I'd say start the process of securing your HELOC if you havn't done so and spend time analyzing deals and determining what type of investor you are looking to be.