Does refinancing improve my chances of building equity?

[Shamar Armstrong]

I own my condo, well not free and clear yet - i still have a mortgage - and i'm looking for ways to build cash reserves to start my real estate venture. I'm a super beginner in this process, but very motivated. unfortunately i dont have large accesses to hard cash. I was thinking about refinancing my current mortgage to help save on monthly payments and therefore provide a way to save up more cash quicker. i can pay my monthly mortgage and tuck the rest away for building cash reserves.

I just completed the Biggerpockets' Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing book and have learned a great deal. But i'm confused about the equity portion. I was told that refinancing will help build equity in your home. Can someone please explain how this is possible and if this is a good idea for someone like me to start doing? And will i have much greater success in applying for a home equity loan or HELOC if i refi my primary mortgage first? Again, Noob here with Noob questions so please have patience. I don't have much cash, so i'm thinking my home's equity may be an option to build cash reserves.