Am I missing something?

[Debbie Rumsey]

I am hoping someone on these forums can help me out with understanding what the best way to leverage but not become deeper in debt. My husband and I own multiple SFR's, condos and a few small (du,tri,4plexes) some of which are paid off. We have been listening to podcasts from Bigger Pockets of investors that are buying much bigger multi units and saying that the numbers are much better. We are very excited to do the same, however, we are 50 yrs old and afraid of increasing debt by leveraging free and clear property into yet another debt when we purchase with the downpayment (taking a refi out on paid off property AND using it for only a downpayment creating 2 loans out of 1 paid off property) . I guess the question is....how can you look forward to cash flow for retirement when the debt has increased as well. Do most of you 1031 exchange or pull out the money in a refi to grow your investment portfolios? What am I missing?

Thank you for your help!