The court considers "open and notorious" to be in your favor as opposed to being sneaky and deceptive. 

I don't want to name names, but I use a major US financial institution for my banking.

Not because we had failed - this was a four-year resident entering their fifth year on the property when they got into financial trouble. 

The information shared is based on my experience and industry knowledge and should not be considered legal, financial, or insurance advice.

-------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Financial freedom is all about buying and hold properties for the rest of your life - that's how you get appreciation, cash flow, principal paydown, and depreciation.

Prioritize your financial stability.

i say that not to discourage you, but so that you have a realistic picture of what to expect.as @Travis Timmons alluded to, you need to be in a strong financial position to even think about starting to invest. 

Even the best property management companies (PMC) struggle with:- Finding reliable handyman and contractors (ServiceTechs)- Same with affordable ones- Tracking preventive maintenance- Tracking previous work for potential reoccurrence warranty coverage- Understanding tenant reported problems, so the correct ServiceTech can be dispatched- Determining if tenant is at fault for an issue & should be charged - and will proof stand up in court?

It’s important to ensure you’re comfortable with these risks and consult a financial advisor.If you choose to use a HELOC, consider traditional financing or private loans as alternatives if you prefer not to risk your home.As for your first rental, markets in the Midwest and Southeast offer great opportunities with turnkey properties that are tenant-ready and appreciating.