Operating is where you collect the rents and pay expenses.

While you might find a lender offering low down payment options, you'll still need cash reserves for repairs, maintenance, emergency fund (ideally 3-6 months of expenses), etc.

Pros: pay off mortgage sooner, one account for everything (all cash + deposits + expenses are paid from the HELOC)Cons: higher interest expense, higher opportunity cost (putting all your cash into the HELOC means you aren't investing it into other things that could yield higher returns)

Exceptional Risk Management - Knowing how to structure deals to protect investors first, even at your own expense.3.

Thank you Brian, I really appreciate the feedback and this is what I will do.My plan is to get a job when I graduate to not only get that experience but also cover my livign expenses while building a portfolio on the side.In terms of buying my first deal, I haven't been able to move the needle because, where I am, for example, small multifamily is trading at around 5.5% caps and rates are 6.5% .

First, most investors and owners of real estate related businesses are in one or more of the following situations1- they’re unable to duplicate their expertise that drives the ROI and they are at their personal max capacity as to time2- they’re obtaining high ROI by use of excessive leverage 3 - they’re obtaining high ROI by taking excessive risk4- they hit correct timing in the correct market, and this is not necessarily repeatable with any probabilityIn order for an investment or business to scale, we need the ROI (on a risk adjusted basis) to be sufficient to cover a PREMIUM risk adjusted return to passive investors; all expenses of managing the assets and the business, and a significant return to the “sponsor” providing compensation to him making the work, risk and time worth while. 

Evaluating deals on this site will help you understand expenses, income, and financial statement.

Hiring a lawyer sounds expensive, but it is way cheaper than hiring a amateur (in this case yourself) who costs you money and provides no results (and then you need to hire a professional anyway).My personal philosophy is to "do it right, or do it twice" and its way cheaper to do it right once. 

If there's equity maybe selling and restarting would be ideal unless you can up income/cut down expenses

The course is not expensive.