I am looking to buy another property and want to borrow some money for the down payment so just looking into different options.

I haven't used a HELOC, but I have borrowed against my retirement account funds to purchase primary residences that I turned in to investment properties.  

If you read through all their fine print, you can even figure out what their end game is.After you apply (and provide all your personal info and SSN by the way), they’re going to charge you a 1% fee for “loan processing before the loan can be set aside for disbursement to borrower” (yes I know that’s a little hard to understand but that’s how they typed it).Bottom line, they’re going to try to get money from you up front, but you’ll never get a loan from them.Tips for Avoiding a Scam on BiggerPockets

@Glen Brickman, nope, you do not want to be borrowing $245,000 at hard money rates.Welcome to BP. 

Lastly they'll look at your credit history, the length, score, DTI ratio, etc. ideally you've had a credit card, small auto loan, anything that shows you're a worthy borrower.

Borrowers who put some of their own money into a property are less likely to default than 100% financing because they're committed to the property.

@Benjamin Sussman, leverage depends on the borrower total income.

Emphasis on TOTAL, because that includes borrowed capital and other people's money.

. $10 grand down - borrowed from family member & pd back in full w/i 5 yearsLived there for 1 year through renovationSolid tenants in place almost 10 years now, never paid rent late, rent pays mortgage with $400 Cash Flow How did you add value to the deal?

The 4plexes will qualify for 30-year fixed loans, assuming you qualify as a residential borrower. 5+ unit properties require commercial loans, the interest rate is typically only fixed for 3-10 years, make sure you're on the longer end of that.