It's not that hard, but if you've never done it and are nervous, it's not a bad idea to hire a realtor to walk you through it.2) You pay a title company to research the title and get title insurance, same as if you used a realtor.3) Not really - but like you said, guidance and knowledge are worth a lot.

Unless the tenant vandalized the property your rental insurance pays for damages from such instance.

Is there insurance?

There are some HOA's out there that will only allow a certain percentage of units to be rented out and may have some other restrictions in the CC&R's.As for your question, the "best" way of doing something in real estate is typically subjective, but having a HELOC payment, in addition to the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and HOA dues, just increases the chances of having a less profitable property or one that may not cash flow at all.

Personally I choose and LLC for all my properties.Of course LLC or not you need good insurance.

@Aram Velazquez Our primary house has only me on mortgage yet when getting investment property on my wife’s name, lender considered her responsible for 100% of Insurance and property tax (because title is in our joint name).

Is the home owners insurance covering the cost?  

*HOAs usually cover lawn care, sprinklers, lawn watering, siding and exterior care, insurance, and more                *This covers most of the exterior line items that you would otherwise have to address in a single family home.

You should also consider language as to what happens with taxes, insurance, escrow funds, etc...

The house is a foreclosure and is on the market for 100,000, taxes are 2,240/year…estimating that insurance will be around 1000/ year.