It seems like you aren't working with the best team... they could have given you better advice.That said, I would consider potentially sticking it out unless the burden of the HELOC is too much. 

Having the right team locally should be very important to out of state investors.

Hello everyone,As an investor, mentor, and team lead of an investor focused real estate group- we instill these values and approach to real estate investing with all of our clients and partners.

The key for me was having the right teams in place (realtor/lender/property manager) to help me find / fund and stabilize the properties. 

This allowed us to get more serious tenants and we wouldn't waste time.

Maybe that is one of your interview questions.If you are very top producer there can be some advantages, like employing your kids, SEPs or retirement plans and maybe if you have a big team some shield of liability if you set it up right and practice what your attorney teaches you to do to keep everything separate.

If your lease does not contain a provision allowing you to terminate the lease, due to the tenant's unhappiness with the unit, you probably could not do this.

I have also considered reaching out to the Branson show teams/ Silver Dollar City to see about midterm rentals for contract workers.

My team has a management side that does good work. 

If they do not have insurance, that is on your friend, we will not allow move in without tenant insurance in place.