Your best security is your neighbors , they are right there and see whats going on at your property .   

I completely agree with @Ashish Acharya's points about the cost-effectiveness of a HELOC and the potential credit implications if it’s secured by your primary residence.

It's a 3 bedroom house and we plan to use technology such as a smart lock, WIFI exterior cameras, and a smart thermostat.

Texas tends to favor landlords in these cases, but follow the legal process exactly—any misstep could delay things.As for protecting against retaliation or property damage, installing security cameras (if you haven’t already) to monitor common areas might be worth it.

Do you have any suggestions on how we can secure long-term financing under these circumstances?

Quote from @Jordan Kaylor: I'm new to real estate investing and have secured a HELOC on my existing home.  

Unfortunately, it's now going to get more complicated:(There are two types of approaches PMCs use to bill for maintenance:1) In-house ServiceTechs on the payroll, so owners are billed for their time by the hour.While the labor charges above are useful, they don't cover the true costs a PMC incurs, like:- Payroll costs for FICA, Social Security, Medicare, etc. that typically add 25-40% to the hourly rate- Medical insurance costs for the worker- Payroll processing costs to handle all of the above- Liability insurance costs in case worker damages something or injures someone- Workman's Compensation insurance- Costs of vehicles and tools- and more...Typically the management contract will disclose the total hourly rate an owner will be charged.

You shouldn't need her social security number to file for eviction.

HUD 4000.1 (I believe) is the latest HUD handbook and it goes over all requirements for originating the loan, including but not limited to occupancy requirements and exemptions.FHA occupancy : "At least one Borrower must occupy the Property within 60 Days of signing the security instrument and intend to continue occupancy for at least one year."

You will receive the security deposit in Checking but then transfer it to Savings.Savings: Hold the deposit here so it's separate from operating funds.