Only you know which route is best (Refinancie, HELOC, etc.) for your financial position but, if you can get funds to pay cash for this, your chances are a LOT better.Your other considerations are a completely different issue.

No issues now, but it's bound to happen eventually.My properties are all in Texas county, but I have no problem dealing with someone in either the West Plains or Springfield areas.

Whether that experience is sitting on a beautiful beach with my wife, or if that experience is fixing a leaky faucet in one of my rentals, or renting to upstanding, wealthy, Class A tenants, or dealing with a low income, but hard working tenant, who is having temporary financial issues. 

@Neil Patak that shines a lot of clarity on the issue.  

Most people wouldn't represent themselves in a court case with a multi-hundred thousand dollar issue on the line, so why would you do it in real estate?

Lots of issues from the tenant, neighborhoods and crime rates.

I am not very learned on the issue, but want more information.  

Of course lease renewals are mandatory, so choose your tenants wisely.FWIW if you maintain a requirement for high credit rating the criminal report will never be an issue, right?

My plan is to get a property with minor cosmetic issues and fix these issues up and hold onto the property to establish a steady cash flow and hopefully some appreciation.

The city delayed us on the permit a little but we have started renovations and no issues with the contractor.