They were upfront when I spoke to them but their clients are too busy to give a reference.

I'll keep just enough cash in my brick and mortar banks to make two months expenses and put all the rest into the online accounts with high interest savings.

I think this program is an incredible way for new young investors who might make under the income limit, to house hack in high cost areas, which will appreciate well, and then afterward they can buy more rental property potentially in cash flow areas.   

As for going back to work, I had a very successful investor tell me that you need to have constant cash in the beginning of your REI career.

In my experience the cash flow in the summer is strong enough to justify shutting a beach property down for the off-season.

My goal is to save up 80k cash and get into a deal that I can cover 100% with my own cash. 

I have the option of pulling out a HELOC from my home in KY that could cover the amount for both HVAC systems. and if i do that i could most likely use the cash flow from when i move out to make the payments on the HELOC.

Raven,Reach out to @Lucia Rushton  I have worked with her on multiple deals to help her buyers and she is an investor friendly agent and understands value and cash flow.

It seems that I will likely need a decent down payment to get a cash flowing rental property.What alternatives do I have to raise money for the down payment?

If you can find a great long term rental that still cash flows in CO, then I'd say it's still worth it.