How to leverage my single family home to get into real estate inv

[Dan Smith]

Hi All,

I have always wanted to get into real estate investing but I feel i made a BIG mistake when i purchased my first home!

I have a home (my first purchase) in a small rural town in southern new jersey that I purchased 5 years ago for $134,000. My interest rate is %3.14 on my mortgage - (I know its really low - I lucked out big time! ) 

In the last five years a very small amount has gone towards my principal and most has gone to interest so there is hardly any equity in the house yet to use towards the purchase of another property. 

But I really want to know how could I leverage my asset (my 1 family house - 3 bedroom , 1 bath with deck and fenced in back yard) to purchase a fourplex investment property?

I also want to know if it will be easier to purchase a fourplex as a live in owner or is it not necessary since i am not a first time home buyer anymore?