You would be much better off investing in mutual funds.

again, I'm just starting out and have a great opportunity, but need additional funding in order to invest.

To get the desired protection, you have to follow some rules to create a separate identity of the LLC such as maintaining it's separate book, singing all the lease in its name, and more.

Would be able to put together BRRRR stuff easier if I could fund with a HELOC. 

Seems like a great fit as I get to create $20,000 in forced equity by funding the repairs myself.My first 7-8 purchase all those years ago were like this but here is the problem with what I did.  

I have attracted multiple accredited investors and plan to structure a deal with them before I fund a deal with non- accredited investors. 

I've had a few discussions about the best way to create a plan in order to "snow ball" your way to owning many REI properties (buy and hold for rent).After Googling around and even reading blogs on this site, I've thought about doing something like the following:Buy my first rental property (SFH) with cash (around $60-70k) where I'd expect about $500 cashflow per monthCurrently I have about $105-110k available (after taking out an emergency fund)Then shortly after, buy my second rental property (SFH) but take out a mortgage and put down around 25% on a $60-70k houseThe cash flow on this property specifically would likely break even (at or near 0) but this would be on a 15 year mortgage and I can use some (or most) of the cash flow from the first to help pay down that mortgage faster, along with my corporate job monthly savings tooI feel I could pay it off anywhere from 5 - 10 years depending on the exact strategy If/When I get the 2nd one, then shortly after that, try and get a 3rd SFH rental property and continue this snow ball effect to build up by rental portfolioObviously this is easier said than done, along with risks and I honestly do not have any real experience with rental properties as this is my first time diving into this type of investing.My main questions would be -- Has anyone done a similar strategy to help build their portfolio quicker?

I am employed but have a desire to replace my income with rental income to fund my (hopefully early) retirement within 10-15 years. 

Also, think of alternative sources of funding: maybe instead of debt, offer equity to your potential partner(s) or ask sellers about seller financing.

@Bart SklarWhat kind of deal are you looking to fund?