I never want to have to deal with living in a hotel, relying on FEMA or any other factor if I am ever found "homeless" again due to an emergency. 

Hello my fellow NYC Landlords,Is anyone familiar with the "One Shot Deal Short Term Emergency Assistance". and do recomend it working with a tenant who is offering it?

When going to see the property with them if they are late or make an excuse that isn't an emergency or serious issue we don't follow through with them period, because if they are late for the appointment they will be late on payments and other things.

That is why it is recommended that you keep at least 6 months or cash reserves on hand for emergencies, such as a vacancies.We normally don't have extended vacancies.

Did he leave an emergency contact, or an authorized person who is able to enter his property?

It does seem like an emerging smaller market with some good opportunites. 

Once I am ready to dive in, I plan on getting a HELOC on my primary residence to fund any rehab and assist with reserves for emergency.

The question is, do I use $10K to try to secure my first deal (SFH, $65,000 or less), or do I keep it as my personal emergency fund then try to save for my first deal (which could take another year or so.)

Pete resident here, I may be bias but I feel like the West Coast is where it's at due to the emergence of Downtown St.

(I now have my property management company manage my own properties so I don't have to get those late night emergency calls.) ;-)