My plan for the cash flow is to build up a cushion for expenses and then begin to re-invest it.

Got into real estate in late 2017 understanding the risks and thought we had a decent operating cushion for emergencies. 

That will change someday I am sure but we are building up a pretty good cushion.

If the property works as a brrrr I will brrrr it, but I really think the first couple houses need to be flips to put some money into my account as a cushion. 

All can be alleviated, at least somewhat by having a nice cushion in.

.$200,000 could get you some profits like this, but then banks want you to have a little more money for a cushion for vacancies and unexpected repairs.

Having the $500/month is a great cushion in case anything were to happen. 

I am in process of buying my second home which I plan to move into.We first bought our first house in 2012 for low 200's in suburbs of Nashville TN.Now the house is worth 440k.Balance on mortgage is 162k.The second home will be a new build in 500k range.My husband makes about 85k per yr.I want to start off investing in reral estate to have a cushion for kids education and retirement.At this point,our lender mentioned that hubby will be approved for  500k mortgage at 3.125% with 10% down.Provided the present home also rents out and we have a lease of 1 yr signed.We have all this set up.He also mentioned we can look into heloc.How do we do that.I have no idea about it and dont want to do it ignorance.I also plan to buy another home for investment asap after we move into second home.I am a SAHM and will be for quite some time.Any advice?

I am in process of buying my second home which I plan to move into.We first bought our first house in 2012 for low 200's in suburbs of Nashville TN.Now the house is worth 440k.Balance on mortgage is 162k.The second home will be a new build in 500k range.My husband makes about 85k per yr.I want to start off investing in reral estate to have a cushion for kids education and retirement.At this point,our lender mentioned that hubby will be approved for 500k mortgage at 3.125% with 10% down.Provided the present home also rents out and we have a lease of 1 yr signed.We have all this set up.He also mentioned we can look into heloc.How do we do that.I have no idea about it and dont want to do it ignorance.I also plan to buy another home for investment asap after we move into second home.I am a SAHM and will be for quite some time.Any advice?

Either way you need to have money to invest (emergency fund, cash cushions, down payment/closing costs, "opportunity" funds, etc.)Hope this helps!