For instance if this is a $10M portfolio that's levered with loans totaling $9.1M, there's no equity that can be pulled but if this is a $1M portfolio with $100K of debt, its a different story.

You have used home equity lines of credit to purchase investment rentals and want to know the best way to pay down the HELOCs.Between the two properties you bought, after expenses, you have $250 a month positive cashflow to use.What I like to do is pay down some principal every month with my positive cashflow.I use my extra active income from real estate commissions helping other investors to pay down the principal even more which just frees up that credit for me to use again.I know I can refinance the HELOC debt before it changes to principal and interest as it is just interest only payments as yours are.One difference is the cashflow, I have greater positive cashflow and could make the principal and interest payment in the future with the extra cashflow I already enjoy.I always get HELOCs on my income properties as well after purchasing them to pull out as much of my downpayment as possible.

Hey Christine, I might be biased, but you could look into Cleveland, Oh.Here are a few things to consider against investing there:- Slower appreciation compared to some other markets- Harsh winters, which can lead to higher maintenance costs- Many discounted single and duplex might need repairs or updates, especially if the previous owners haven’t kept up with maintenance over the years- Some local regulations to be aware of (nothing crazy, but worth noting when trying to close deals).But there are also some solid reasons to invest in Cleveland:- Affordable properties in the $100K-$300K range- Strong long term rental market due to a high rent to price ratio- Landlord friendly laws overall- Potential for great cash flow- Opportunities for Section 8 tenants- stable market once you have the right team in placeEvery market has pros and cons so it comes down to your budget, risk tolerance, and finding a reliable crew you can trust.

All the leads I've found so far have balked at either the "investment property" requirement, the "in California" requirement (or both!)

In the Southeast, Coolidge and Florence, where the path to progress is leading from San Tan Valley, and even way out West in the Buckeye and Goodyear areas are opportunities for growth.

This dealflow is then supplemented with deals from the broker channel.The broker channel will get leads in the door quickly, but they are usually of questionable quality and loyalty.

This could affect markets relying on new chip plants, green energy projects, or other manufacturing, leading to increased vacancies and fewer workers.Conversely, markets with well-established job centers will be better insulated.

Quote from @Hector Romero: Hello all, I am new to the community as well as being the lead in real estate investments.My sister and I currently hold 3 properties next to each other in Riverside County, California (we'd like to get them in an LLC but we're unsure how that may affect financing them).

Using these parts of local zoning can lead to potential deals.  

This eliminates the problem of increasing your debt and damaging your credit score.