I usually do this to help cover the carpet cleaning costs once the tenant moves out.

The thought of buying cash flowing rental properties interests me.

If you don't mind, include the size of portfolio and avg cash flow you look for in a deal.Thanks so much.

Would it be stupid to move out of a house hack that's cash-flow negative?

Timing does play a role here and you may just want to hedge your position, start the cash flowing, and then revisit a higher rent when the market is humming.Hope this helps...

For DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) you qualify based on if the property will cash flow or not (Does the rental amount cover the mortgage payment at least 1:1).

Thanks,Ratna what everyone mistake is some people is stuck in h1b for decades and they are too afraid to buy primary home, or to buy rental in US or even to apply mortgage which at the end, makes them losing the biggest opportunity to make money in real estate.In reality it doesn't really matter as income from cash flow is a passive investment, you could do even flipping business while on h1 as the profit is from buy and sell activity. 

If you have 3 properties you own for cash, that cash flow is good so I would think about the HELOC because that will adjust the overall cash flow of the units and add another liability.

Why does it change things-- unless you're thinking cleaning, etc., but those were all sunk costs from the get?

.), but since they all promise the same thing - passive cash flow - it is hard to determine which is the best of the bunch.