The HELOC interest is not tax deductible if the money is not deployed into a property.

Continue to invest in the migration trends of mild climates and low taxes (state income and property) and you will continue to make money if you buy prudently in those areas.When a recession occurs I agree that if you have access to capital you will benefit greatly if deployed correctly. 

., to weather any storms.Also a good idea, offensively, to have capital ready to deploy if opportunities arise, great credit, solid relationships with those in the industry, etc..

Question now becomes what is the best ways/options in deploying the funds in order to invest in RE.

He is being deployed elsewhere and wants to get rid of the mortgage.

I deployed that cash to buy more.

It’s a very cash intensive business so I would estimate in the next 12 to 24 months I will have extra cash on the side that I will be ready to deploy into an idea like this.

Plus, deployments and TDY allowed me to make more money due to being in hazardous areas.

If you have 200K in cash, the real issue is how hard is it to deploy effectively. 

I am also a great believer in investing when there is distress and deploying capital when you can.If you are looking for yield in the short run, Manhattan may not be for you.