I'm off to a good start, but I need advice.

[Nicholas S.]

My job has moved me 4 times in 10 years. I never set out to be an investor, it just happened. But I don't know what I'm doing. I bought a single family home near Charlotte in 04, and one near Cincinnati in '09, and now am living in one in Phoenix we bought in '11

Charlotte worth $146K; equity 46K mortgage 700, rent 1200

Cincy worth 165; equity 5k mortgage 900, rent currently 1100, but can bring 1300 (need to bump it up)

The Phoenix house, we were super fortunate, purchased at the very bottom of the fall-out,and now it may have near 100K equity. Mortgage is 800, would rent for 1300

I'm not a rich man by any means. Taken a 45% paycut at work over a year ago and now make 35K a year. Can you believe my wife stays home with our little ones? Both wife & I's credit 800. Zero savings, zero reserves, zero health insurance - on a wing & prayer. 43 years old.

I'm due for yet another transfer if I want to recoup my 45% pay back (so I can afford at least health care!). Maybe going to Houston or back to Charlotte next summer.

My question is this. If you were me, how would you work out my humble beginnings with these properties to begin building a serious rental property investment empire? When I say empire, I'd like to own 5 to 10 homes that I can build an income and future retirement on. Is there anything I should or could be doing with this equity in the Phoenix house? What about the Charlotte? Oh by the way I've refi'd all the homes to pretty low interest rates.

Would love to hear you guys' thoughts on this - Thank you!