I’m finally at a point where I have a good amount of capital saved up and have done enough research to where I feel comfortable taking my first step towards financial freedom, hoping to eventually escape the rat race, help my parents retire, and set up my family for future success and wealth (I know, how noble of me!). 

Creature comforts and things to do are much more accessable in ventura and oxnard and is a much more optimal place to live overall.

Our all in price with all fees was $53,843 and we closed on 10/18/2019 and plan was to do the entire renovation ourselves except HVAC.I'm a weekend warrior and comfortable building, rebuilding or fixing anything and my partner had some renovation experience. 

All while paying mortgage payments on capital that is not deployed.I'm not suggesting this approach is with out risk and there is a little more for me to look at using this approach but at this time I'm more comfortable with the numbers I'm running with the HELOC approach than the cash out REFI approach. 

I've been comfortable in the area I am in but want to seek out properties with lower property taxes and laws that are landlord friendly.

More importantly, considering how competitive the lending environment has become, any wise lender should want a reputation that they bend over backward to accommodate their borrowers and not nickel and dime them to death with petty fees, penalties, or threats.Hope this helps you, Samson.

Is this grounds for creating a hostile work environment / retaliation because of what my employer / supervisor has done.

When I was smaller fries previously I was totally able to do everything with Turbotax comfortably and now I am seeing my own limits and need to cede to the pros on my tax accounting.

I have a new job that gives me a pension and annuity plan so I feel very comfortable using this money to buy homes

You will quickly know the areas you are comfortable in and the ones you would personally avoid.