One asterisk I would add, depending on how many doors you have don’t leverage the heck out of your all-star realtor for this task, consider someone in the same office that is newer and a little more in need of some additional $.

Wesley - no you don't have to pay back the HELOC if you move out. 

Network and find a rock star investor in your area.

I operate out of New York City (the most strictly regulated market in the world) and thus we are extremely efficient and hit 5-star reviews >90% of the time. 

But if the stars don't align, this could lead to a giant clusterf*ck, so be careful!

At this point, I'd say there is a 50/50 chance that the stars will align and we'll be able to purchase an apartment in Brooklyn in the next 12-18 months (using a separate pool of funds than the ones earmarked for out of state investing). 

I've been browsing Roofstock lately and I don't see a lot of "good" returns there within the 3-stars and above neighborhoods.

I listened to him and I thank my stars every day that I did.  20 years later you wouldn't believe what that account looks like. 

you're not responsible for inconvenience expenses to the tenant for something not due to your negligence - and I would consider having to use a hot plate or a microwave in the living room for a week an inconvenience, not an "unlivable" situation - if he went to stay in a hotel, is he going to be cooking 4 star meals there? 

I definitely survived, but it was something that "could" have some guests knock a star off on a rating.