This is where I invest so its a good for me resource.Grant Cardone: Good for theory and for getting idea on rules or principals to follow, but unless you have a large amount of cash its hard for a "small" investor to attempt his style of investingPhil Pustejovsky: The material and information is good but the "partner/mentor" program seems a bit expensiveBooks:Tony Robins: Master the Game Dave Ramsey: The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial FitnessMary Hunt: 7 Money Rules for Life: How to Take Control of Your Financial FutureRobert Kiyosaki: Rich Dad Poor DadThomas Stanley: The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's WealthT.

Would it be wise to heavily pay down the principal while renting?

Then whats left lets say NI = 10K (which is likely higher than CF because of the mortgage principal write down - but aside from the fact)Company 2: Set up a Property Management Company - you are the one that is tenanting the property out, you are the one managing the books, you are dealing with any issues at 12 am and all the other 'labour' / 'time consumping' work of being a landlord.

Also I like the idea of a HELOC because they can be interest only which means a much lower payment than a principal + interest payment that would required with a mortgage.

Instead of counting on uncertain appreciation to create equity, you might want to consider applying cash flow to your principal pay down and build equity.

@Juan SantosPITI stands for principal, interest, taxes, insurance. 

Is the lender guaranteed their principal back? 

End of story.On the other hand, with the option contract, he becomes a principal in the deal - with an "equitable interest".

I tend to see when investors buy properties, that first year is a favorable tax outcome due to stabilization costs and depreciation in excess of the principal paydown.Additionally, I happen to be a local CPA in Davenport and do specialize in real estate.

After some preliminary research, it appears that as long as you bring the difference between principal amount and sale amount to the closing, this would not be an issue.Are there any other avenues of sale that would lessen the need of having to potentially bring a decent amount of money to closing?