Safest way to expand your portfolio

[Rodney Lorenzo]

I closed on my first commercial property last November - a 6 unit all residential. To those that have successfully expanded your portfolio, what strategies worked for you the most? I want to avoid having my loan called and/or having to pay 5% pre-payment penalty up to 5 years. I've been told cross collateralization can be risky, but what if I "untied" the properties 6 to 12 months in? What about a HELOC ? Would it trigger the loan to be called? Or should I just do it the old fashioned way and wait till I have enough equity to refinance. This would be the last resort as I don't want to pay a 5% PPP, nor do I want to wait 5 years to buy my second property. Please note that 30% was my down payment. Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.