Our rates are 7-12%, with no down payment required.

I have equity in my CO rental; I don’t have a large enough sum saved up for a down payment yet so I’m wondering if a HELOC would be an option on my CO property. 

Year 0: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^0 / (1 + 5%)^0 ≈ $300 in today’s buying power.Year 5: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^5 / (1 + 5%)^5 ≈ $260 in today’s buying power.Year 10: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^10 / (1 + 5%)^10 ≈ $225 in today’s buying power.Year 15: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^15 / (1 + 5%)^15 ≈ $194 in today’s buying power.So, if you purchase property in a city where rent increases at a slower pace than inflation, the amount of goods and services you can buy will decrease over time due to inflation.Here is what I recommend:Purchase in a city that possesses the following characteristics.Significant and sustained population growth.Rapid and sustained appreciationBalance negative cash flow, interest rate buydown, and increased down payment to create an acceptable cash flow situation today.Refinance when rates fall to increase cash flow.

You should have 25% down payment + closing costs, + an oh Sh*t fund on top of that. 

Here is the Collin Hays method of buying the property at what you want to pay:Don’t ask the seller what their best offer is.

Generally speaking, with SFR or small multis, I just rely on the lease/rent roll (and some form of proof of payment; i.e. bank statements, deposit receipts, tax returns, etc.). 

If you haven't connected with local people in your market there are several methods here.  

I cash flow them to buyers on lease options with a hefty option payment up front to me.

For the property I purchase, I’d like to keep my monthly mortgage payments at $2,000 or less.I prefer a turn-key property since this is my first rental, and I want to start generating monthly cash flow immediately without the delay of repairs or managing two mortgages.

I usually end up with a list of buyers with down payments but I don't have any more inventory for lack of inventory (capital).