Should I sell, leverage or continue to rent paid off properties?

[Priscilla Davenport]

I own 4 paid off properties, a paid off primary residence and one rental with a 50 grand balance. The appraisal on all properties is a little over 500 grand. Ive bought mostly 30-50 grand properties in cash but paid my primary of in 15 years. I would like to retire from my govt job in about 2-3 years. My properties gross about 4,000 monthly and I expect half of that after expenses to supplement my pension and small 401K. Ive been getting advice to leverage properties to buy more to help further my retirement plans with more additional cash flow. Is this something to consider just before retirement? Or should I just stay the course Im on with paid off properties and retire as planned?