Consider having the peace of mind of a long-term tenant (you're not worried about short term trends and occupancy - assuming you've screened and placed a quality tenant).

Take that money and buy RE in other growing markets, stocks, bonds, index funds, high yield savings, or probably a combination of it all. 

You will likely be in the high 7's or 8's right now but my heloc went up several points in a short time and that could happen again. 

That's kind of hard to stomach, and that in itself could be the cost of another SFH in my area.I also just despise paying high interest in general, so admittedly part of my reason for considering paying down the new mortgage is for peace of mind.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Also, I am sure there are many quality property managers out there, but unfortunately the pickling were slim in my particular sub market.

Hi Ashley,Likely the biggest bottleneck would be the rehab - making sure you have a good contractor that can perform affordably on time with quality.

You can definitely get HELOCs on investment properties, but the interest rate is high. 

With high interest rates, we'd be looking at around $3800 PITI.

I live in NJ, and it has a very high cost of living and with the current rate of interest, makes it a very pricey market so to say, and not that investment real estate friendly.