When I think about rehabbing, financing, property management, and other aspects of the business, it can feel a bit disorganized.I may be getting ahead of myself here by thinking about documentation and systemization, but I'd like to have some kind of mental framework regarding how to think about the different aspects of real estate and how they relate to each other so that I can have a bit more structure in my thinking. 

Your book recommendation will absolutely help give you a head start on being an honest and ethical landlord. 

You would be money ahead to increase your loaned amount by the 5k and not worry about points and stay at the 2.75% as it would only increase your payment 20/month roughly to go this route. 

For example, the marketing campaign will need to have x number of direct mail sent per month to these types of owners, there will need to be Pay Per Click advertising, SEO advertising, etc.

Patrick,Just a heads up, no lender that I have found will let you do a HELOC on a rental property.

After a second read through of Rich Dad, Poor Dad about a month ago, something clicked this time with me and opened the world of real estate investing.

You have one compressor and a "head" in each room.

I'd say go ahead and get started worry about hitting a cap later.

I've done fairly well on startengine.com had three larger returns in three years out of 9 investments so am ahead of my expectations. but remember all could fail so do your due diligence and do not put in more than you could afford to lose.

I'm sure a lot of other people on here can do the same which should show how important it is.Don't get ahead of yourself and spend this year really educating yourself on what a good deal is in your area and surrounding areas.