Refinance or seek traditional loan for first rental

[Nicholas Sawyer]

Hello all,

I am just getting started in the rental real estate business and I have a lot of questions. One question I ask myself is should I refinance my current home to reduce my mortgage before I seek a traditional loan to purchase a multifamily home when I find a deal that may work? Does refinancing send any flags to a bank that would cause them to deny a traditional loan shorty after the refinance?

Also want to say I enjoy all answers as well as other opinions that I may not be asking for. I am here to learn.