Even in this bubble, there are investing opportunities out there.Taking out a HELOC purely to cover an anticipated future shortfall in income, will never get you "bigger pockets"!

Hello BP-NATION,I am overly joyed to announce that I have closed on my first investment property, a house hack duplex in Greenville, NC.

Since you didn't provide many details, the answer to your question is really "it depends".However, I will say from a pure financing option point of view, I am a big advocate of home equity loans (used correctly). 

I realize my post is a bit different from the pure investor stand point, but I thought it may help give you some insight. 

Joys of having tenants that don't pay.

I think the important thing is to buy something, whichever one (partly owner-occupied or pure investment) works best for you in terms of #s and other factors (location, living next to your tenants, etc.).A portfolio of 1000 units begins with a single first purchase...

You can get pretty high returns and not have the joys of landlording.

I close on my second home next week, so I share with you the stresses and joys of such an event.

Maybe 5% or so.Whereas if it is a pure investment would typically require 25% down with conventional financing.

I am in Mount Joy Pa, and am just starting out my real estate business journey!