We will fund these purchases through a HELOC which I have been shopping around for.

I don't hate my job, but am looking to use it as a way to pay off my student loans and then fund my investment portfolio.I am very interested in real estate as a method to grow wealth and achieve financial freedom (like everyone on BP). 

Been working with several investors on flipping houses in the Houston/Dickinson Area where flooding was bad durring Harvey.  There have been a lot of opportunities and I would like to flip one on my own but having iss...

How much in "contingency" funds am I required to have?

However, if you also have a 401k through your day-time employer, you can also borrow 50% of those funds not to exceed $50,000 since you don't own that employer (i.e., it is not your self-employed business).

Usually just send them a check or send the funds from your bank to whatever account they want it sent to each month.  

You can deduct repairs to your rental property from rental income regardless of the source of funds used to make the repairs. 

I would wait to make the jump into a full-time agent until you've set up systems for success and have a proven track record of sales also, remember its easier to get funding with a solid W-2 than it is with a 1099 in some cases.

As I understand, using this benefit would allow me to purchase a property of up to 4 units with no money down.I am wondering if anyone might have tips on good neighborhoods, local banks/title companies, RE Agents, etc.My short-term goal is to reduce costs of living by having my mortgage paid by tenants, then later using my disposable income to fund additional deals.

I assumed, perhaps mistakenly, that you were tempted by his "promise" of 100% funding?