How to utilize my condo as a starting point to a real estate care

[Aaron Friedland]

Hello all. Im brand new to the site. I own a condo in the heart of west hollywood. Purchased the property in 2014. Paying around $5200/month with HOAs and everything. I want to take a more hands on approach to real estate investing and curious if it would make more sense to rent my unit out as a starting point. Maybe rent something else or take the equity and purchase another apartment or multi family property in the LA area. I feel like in this area, I can always rely on longterm appreciation, so not sure selling is shortsighted. Wondering how I can use my leverage in my current property to begin a career in real estate?