Our goal is to be financially free within 3 - 5 years, allowing us to work on this endeavor full time.I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the site as it has been an amazing help and I look forward to staying engaged on the forums to pay that back as best I can starting with this way too past due introduction.My wife and I are focusing on buy and hold rentals and flips in the Chicagoland / Central Illinois areas. 

If it takes ALL of your Heloc line to pay in full I would not do that. you want some backup for emergencies.

I maybe could see a part timer doing it, that person who has a full time W2 job, and is an MLO on the side, and is an insurance agent, and is 3 other things -- that guy might.As someone doing this for a living, however...

I work full time in the agriculture industry and Kayla is currently finishing up nursing school. 

We buy them at 50% full, fill them up and then refi to expand if demand allows it.

I just got my license, but I am looking to be full time in RE.

Just be sure to put a lot of thought into the full impact your actions have with the public...because it's damned near impossible for a new business to bounce back from a negative reputation.

At which point I would have to come out of pocket ($18k additional for $80k total renovation) to succeed in renovating the property to its full appraisal potential. 

I think @Aaron Klatt is right.The numbers can not tell the full story.

Looking for decent painting contractor who is willing to bid small jobs and full inside SFR jobs.Can anyone recommend?