In Collin County, consider properties with strong appreciation potential in areas like Plano or Frisco.

@Chris Seveney  - Depends on risk tolerance.

I’d be happy to share insights or explore potential opportunities together.

Understand the strengths in your market, what does well / has lower risk since you're just starting out? 

Without sufficient reserves, you’re not just stressed—you’re at serious risk of losing properties or being forced to sell.

Personalities and business practices vary widely.Lesson 3: Be willing to pivot to avoid potential future concerns, and know that a small win, or breaking even is better than a total loss.Lesson 4: Commercial loan process was great to learn and now I have built a relationship with a commercial lender.

While Maine is on my radar, I'm also considering landlord-friendly states like Texas and Florida for potential investments.

Had we scheduled the closing in the morning, there would not have been an issue.The only potential upside is that a disaster area declaration triggers changes in mortgage rules that could beneficial to the buyer. 

Unlike HELOCs on a primary residence, investment property HELOCs tend to have higher interest rates, stricter terms, and the risk of being frozen or called due by the lender.

My personal opinion is that, while shifting investments into real estate may be the right move for your situation, there is likely a lot of work to be done before you get to that step to avoid a potentially costly mistake.