Mom is happy to do it - but as an investment this time, not just out of good will.What kind of terms should we offer her?

There are certainly a lot of great rental properties there - you just have to know what kind of neighborhood you're dealing with. 

Belair Edison or Edmondson Village would be examples of the bottom of the kind of neighborhood I like would be in. 21212, 21234 are full of areas like that I like.

I look at all kinds of indicators, including my own renters.So, my question for you, what are you looking at?  

With these "flipping" coverages, it is good to have a phone call and get a good idea of what kind of work you are doing. 

Seems people are picking up properties of any kind:) or I could be stupid and overestimating the market.

Even 10% or 15% would allow us to get the kind of property we want since we want to save cash to put into the renovation.

Anyone can find success in real estate anywhere, it just takes the right kind of person for the right kind of situation.

That was kind of what I was thinking.

Definitely agree with Aaron about talking to a lender first, but I really like the idea of a heloc and having the ability to use it for investing, pay it off, and then continue using it after paying it off or down...but I guess it also depends on the kind of investing u plan on using it for