Google Voice numbers can be regenerated and once you’ve been scammed and catch on, the scammer will change their number and you won’t be able to contact them. - They won’t be local, familiar with the property or able to meet you at the property.

The number of eyes that are on "the Charlotte metro" market from out-of-state and out-of-town investors is extraordinary.

This issue is more prevalent if you do out of state real estate investing, especially when you are renovating, you have to trust either the general contractor's words or you would ask your real estate agent to check up on it every once in a while (if the agent is kind enough to do so), and if you are lucky, you have a friend/family member within the area.This got me thinking, would a trusted local person be your eyes and ear that has your back be valuable to you?

Since HELOCs have adjustable rates they will often catch people off guard when they adjust.

See some honest potential in updating it, I have a good eye for good, clean, economic design.

I think it should be fairly easy to find a place renting out for even less than $1000 if you look around, with the same eye as you look for investment deals. 

I think you're right; I just need to be consistent with what I'm doing and keep my eye on the prize.

I don't have any properties but I have my eye on a few and I'm looking forward to beginning my journey in real estate investing. 

Get more creative and buy a value add deal, or look at properties with a different set of eyes to capture the appreciation and cashflow still possible in SoCal. 

Since HELOCs have adjustable rates they will often catch people off guard when they adjust.