The say they will be able to pay the remaining balance on their next payday?

@Ryan Keenan If the home is in a condition where it can be conventionally financed I do not think you will have trouble finding a bank that will do a 25% low balance loan.

Estimating repairs and reserves for capex is the most difficult thing, because you can make a bad deal look good and or vice versa.What I have learned from doing a lot of rehabs, is that every house needs a complete do over every 30-40 years, inside and out.

It is also a way to keep your money working for you rather than sitting as equity on a balance sheet.  

If you instead jump in at the platform level, you will just end up investing randomly, and may not have a balanced portfolio.

If not it will be very difficult for you to get a good deal.

Appreciation prediction is difficult.   3) the index states it takes into account long term appreciation but was not clear if this was a forecast forward or a look backwards.  

It shouldn't be too difficult to find online.

There can be a lot of locked up value in them, but very difficult for a new out of state investor to manage.....even for an experienced out of state investor for that matter.  

To clarify, I was wondering if it is better to get a HELOC now while I am still living in my primary residence, as it will be more difficult to get equity out when it becomes a rental in 2019.