Real estate loans are taxed as you pay down the principle, not when you borrow the money.

Again KISS principle.  

People most successful in all aspects of real estate investing and the real estate BUSINESS, gain knowledge and experience n three areas: (1) real estate principles, (2) real estate law, and (3) real estate finance.  

It's not just shorter-term downturns to be aware of, real estate just like the stock market can experience 10 year periods of no growth. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/csushpinsa

Use a 2nd position heloc to absorb your paycheck, once your paycheck is entirely paying off your heloc, then it is safe to advance $3000 or $5000 extra against your heloc to make a principle payment against your 1st position heloc.

Audrey - Dave might disagree or add more context, but I think that predicting 5-year rent growth is a bit like forecasting the stock market 5 years from now. 

One thing most host don't do is stock the kitchen up well. 

Risky too compared to just holding stocks or bonds.I'm not even worth that much money so I have to ask the more experienced and successful investors on this forum: what keeps you going?

Kitchens:-I've been playing around with more expensive quartzite counter tops following the same principle as tile: not a lot of square footage and can really make the kitchen standout.

Or should I just put them into stock market?