Your only issue is that you should probably target long-distance real estate investing as $50k is more than enough in cheaper markets like the Midwest and you will probably have to start outside of Orange County unless you want to spend additional years waiting and saving up rather than starting

The 6 unit building is cheaper and easier to maintain and does not 'ask for an explanation' from investors.

Get the heloc on your home as it will be cheaper than refinancing.  

people like it, the good stuff looks like wood, cheaper than wood.

Like with anything, the guys that do it all day will do it twelve times as fast as you, and with materials and your time it's probably cheaper that way.Two years ago I refinished about 1200 sq. ft.

I’m no expert but I imagine rents in NC are much cheaper than Jersey, so if your income from pension is only slightly lower than your take home pay now, I don’t see it being a problem.

We currently have 21 rentals we did BRRRR on and I personally have 7 rentals where I did a down payment.There are various reasons why people would rent for $800 when a mortgage would be cheaper

Instead of a cheaper natural gas furnace you are going to be paying the electric on the space heaters.

So you think replacing stuff upfront is cheaper than having an ongoing maintenance ? 

I ended only going up to 90% because it was a cheaper interest rate. 90% LTV: 4% interest only for first 24 months.