I just stayed to get the free gift.

@Chad Haes,I actually have some experience in managing both SFHs and MFHs in California and my recommendations with regard to hiring professional property management are as follows:If you are living in the property full-time, the main value propositions offered by professional management will be as follows: marketing, screening & placement of tenants; rent collection; maintenance.Of these three, rent collection is the easiest for a DIY landlord.

While you can do creative things to acquire properties, the easiest way to do so is to have money.  

If that's the case I highly suggest you speak with an elder law attorney for a win win situation regarding gifting and qualifying for long term care.

We have included Subway gift cards for the past several years, currently having an internal debate on whether to continue with that or go with Papa Murphy's.

@Jake Hottenrott  one park I bought from the original owner.. had a standard that no one with less than 700 Fico could rent a space .. all units owner occ and NO RENTALS as all.that was one tidy park I can tell you that.. the easiest income property I ever owned.... 

It takes 6-9 months for my clients to find the right place, so you need patience.Lending requirements are that the down payment must come from personal funds, with about $14k being allowed as gift funds.  

This was the first (and easiest) goal I've set for myself.My second goal I thought about was 100 rental units.  

I think that's how the world goes round, we are given gifts, knowledge, we pass them on to others.

I think a HELOC is easiest if you own them outright, I would think a bank would lend to you without much problems.