Share something that is challenging you on the retail side and then quickly follow up with asking them what their biggest challenge has been in this market.

That is indeed double taxation.If you owned a shoe store, for example, you would buy shoes wholesale, sell them retail, and pay taxes on your net income.

I expect you can find a HELOC provider at a local credit union.  

@Erika Peketi follow your state and local landlord tenant laws for timing of notices for lease violations.

They know how to handle negotiations and can tell you about the local housing market.

Since we are new to investing, we want to start locally in San Diego.

Take a look at BP's blog where new articles are published every day: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog4.Check out the BP Podcasts: https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcast5.If you want to network or ask specific questions about your local market, go to your local real estate forum and connect with investors from your area: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/86-local-real-estate-networking6.

Your local REIA is always the best place to start, in my opinion.

Know good agents,  property managers. contractor that can walk the property.Etc.I’ll be investing locally in the Phoenix Arizona area. 

Historical data, new developmental attractions, business relocation, local policy, etc.