I have no experience in REI, however I have ammassed considerable savings, enough to make an investment in a plex rental property on the island of Montreal, Quebec.I do not yet think I am at the stage of "Analysis Paralysis", as I have only begun reading and studying the topic of Real Estate Investment for less than a month.

I've been reading some books on this topic, but I am having trouble making the next step.

If the topic completely stops here, use 12 months as your hard and fast rule, as I have used this in multiple states and never heard of anything over 12 months.To go a bit further, let's say you wanted to use the VA loan again and again (my strategy).

There are a lot of threads on this topic on various other forums.

I'm directing my clients to continue to invest in markets that are popular with professionals and college students (especially medical and law schools) as well as with Section 8 in markets that have transitioned/are far in the process of transitioning. 

It will be a long-term play because appreciation is low and slow here, but some of the highest risk areas are right outside of very popular areas (huge river renovation/development and out the medical district, think hospitals, research facilities, med school), so it's a good bet! 

It was a big picture view which is what I was looking for as some of the topics themselves can be in depth.

My goal is to start buying rentals, and eventually transition out of the medical field over the next ten years, (or less if possible). 

Just the type of topic I was looking for.  

There’s plenty of previous threads on here on that topic and they usually conclude in a dead end.Second, as @Tyrone Osilesi pointed out, and as the name of the product implies, HELOCs are a line of credit based on the EQUITY in the property.