Myself being from MI near FLINT the "Auto city" I can tell you first hand what kind of a cracked out poverty ridden community will resault from lost automotive manufacturing jobs.

I have a decent amount of equity in a 3 family property and was planning on using a HELOC, but just got shut down because my credit score was not suitable enough to achieve a solid LTV (even though it’s 745?) 

Lead by example, not with the goal of getting her to join you in your endeavors (though that would be nice), but because YOU have a goal and nothing should stop you from achieving it.

@Kent McDanielCongrats on achieving a milestone.

Given these hypothetical numbers, buying the house and slowly investing the rental profits into the market is slightly over double the economic gain than simply buying the stocks would have been.The only time that renting is better than owning, is if you plan on constantly buying and selling every couple of years as you move around the country searching for a better job as those realtor fees add up quick.But for anyone that continues to believe that renting is that pathway to economic success, I currently have a vacant SFR in phoenix and it would tickle me to death to be able to 'help' you achieve financial independence by allowing you to pay me rent.

But how can I achieve that...?

I just don't have any first hand experience to see what might happen.

We would welcome the opportunity to help you achieve your real estate investing goals.

Local banks, such as bridgewater, also hold notes on hundreds of local multifamily properties, thus may understand better that higher rents can and will be achieved for an under performing property. 

The gospel over at Bigger Pockets is that REI is the number one way to achieve financial freedom and long-term wealth.