Depending on the state you are in a HELOC is a full recourse loan which means that if you fail and lose your home, they can go after you for any losses.

After turning 30 and having our first daughter, I flipped my mental state 180° and began obsessing over my health and future.I've been scouring these forums and listening to the Bigger Pockets podcast.

Both are on bigger pockets.

@Carlton EverettWelcome to Bigger Pockets.

If we stick with a realtor there isn't room to lower the price without selling at a loss.

I will need to have a hard money lender in order to purchase my first house but am not sure if the network place on bigger pockets is the way to go.  

This definitely gives me more confidence to pursue the safer option right now--at least to start out and get my feet wet first before taking something bigger with more risks. 

I am attempting to put to good use the analytic tools from bigger pockets to help me learn how to evaluate possible deals. 

@Samantha Lotti you’re off to a great start doing your first partnership deal and now you’re networking here on Bigger Pockets.

To prepare for the next recession, I want to have cash to scoop up more properties, but at the same time also handle the inevitable loss of rents (with tenants losing their jobs).