My question is I have about $30,000 in cash that I am comfortable using, but would like to keep that and see if I can get a home equity loan (since it is paid off and I could get at least $200,000) and use that to purchase my first rental property.

Once you got you area you need to focus on you hone in and get it going.The power of delegation will take you further, the formalities of legal enterprises will keep you from getting hosed. 

You’ll receive notifications when there is conversation in the forums you follow or if a user mentions those keywords—so keep them updated often!

Will definitely keep you in mind! 

If you haven't already done so you can add a keyword alert for Atlanta in the forums so you can always keep updated with topics in the community.

But, that should help keep you focused and not hold you back from taking action. 

Keep sharing your success, please!

Keep in mind if you looked through your NOO mortgage, it might state in its conditions, prohibitions on collecting advance rents, in my case, beyond 2 months.

TAX CERTS are a bizzness not something you do as a passive investor or someone like me who is busy with their core business.. thankfully it was only 30k All that and the SC Hennepin Decision last year now causing states to re-write their laws so that if an investor does somehow end up converting a lien to a deed, that investor may be liable to tax defaulter for the difference between the lien and market value of the property, Tax Liens seem to be VERY MUCH a place where only the big money, interest investors can make it worthwhile.Fortunately, Texas has "immediate" possession Tax Deeds so we keep our focus there.

Quote from @Dana Powell: I would keep shopping.