@Zachary PesickaA HELOC is always risky in the long term, just because of the risk of rates going up, but if you plan to pay it off quickly by doing a cash out refinance on the new property, than it can work well, for the simple fact that you don't have money sitting in an account, waiting to purchase the new property. 

It's one of the perks of being in finance/accounting, we work with spreadsheets 24/7.I 100% agree with you.

Other times, it can be pretty off, especially since it can't really take into account the condition of the property.

I'm doing some screening for tenants and one I came about that is interested has more than 5 but less than 10 collections accounts.

My end goal is to acquire as many as possible for long term passive income.My question, as the title suggests, is how to properly analyze a deal and what MOST folks like to use as a measuring stick to be considered a good deal.Brandon Turner says he only jumps on a rental that will bring a 12% cash on cash return after everything is accounted for (PITI, vacancy, maintenance, cap ex, management, etc.)  

Your accountant will be the deciding factor1.

With QB you have to invoice anyway to record your accounts receivables. 

Account Closed I thought about following up with another fish joke and decided against it.

I've also considered looking into becoming a private lender but I feel I should experience the RE game myself before I start lending money out to others.I've been researching heavily, pounding through 1-2 podcasts a day and am in the process of finding a lawyer, accountant, agent and any other people I may need in my RE journey.

The loan, OTOH, has no effect on the taxable gain.I would advise you to sit with an accountant or financial planner and go through the number in detail, with consideration of your other income, and discuss future goals.