I also recommend you attend the local meetups and get to meet all the investors here.

Once the move is complete and things are settled down, I'm interested in pursuing real estate investment locally.

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.

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

Do you do it yourself or you have a local manager?

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.

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

In your particular case, I would consult with a local eviction attorney to get their take on the local laws and regulations.Nonetheless if a tenant tried to pull this on me, I probably wouldn't want them as a long term tenant in the future.