Ideally a HELOC is used for less then a  year project where you can refi or sell to pay back the HELOC. 5 years is a long time, things can happen and if you reduce the cashflow on both properties you'll be increasing the risk and having thinner margins.

Ideally your cleaner should have enough other work so that doing your property is available in their schedule but not required for them to pay their bills.

No doubt buying the first property can seem very scary but ideally, you are working with a realtor and lender who owns STRs.

.- Would you be requiring custom changes often to your digital workflow?

Ideally, finding a lender who offers a balance of both is key. 

You can sell the customer base, the website, and more as business assets.  

In your ideal world who pays the buyers agent in that first time home buyers niche in Minneapolis? 

We did not do this and still encounter less than ideal setup the result of our initial setup many years ago.  

The right idea is going to be the bread and butter.1) Ideal location2) Quality properties over quantity of properties3) 1.25x DSCR4) Intention to hold no less than 8, but ideally 12+ years.5) Sufficient cap reserves6) Mechanisms to enhance cash flow(via alt investing or house strategies).7) Liability protection through no PG loans(if possible), LLC formation, property management and being a diligent landlord.8) Invest deeper, before wider.Now if you're talking where to invest, different information.

We have a great house in houston that is an ideal wrap.