A real investor now?

[Phillip Denny]

I heard a while back on a podcast (I think Kathy Fettke), that you aren't a true real estate investor until you don't have any money to invest.  I guess I should be excited, because I've gotten to a place where I have 4 properties all with pretty good equity (one is my primary residence).  However, now most of my cash is tied up and I'm probably a year out from being able to refinance anything.  Somehow, now I feel like I'm just scratching the surface!

Here are some of the things I've considered after much reading/listening:

1) HELOC on primary residence to implement BRRR on another property. This always worries me to put my primary residence on the line and my goal is to own my primary residence free and clear.

2) Partner with someone on a commercial office space (house hack) and use part of the commercial space for another business.  I know very little about commercial space but have a good commercial property resource.

3) Use private money and leverage my flexible schedule to manage deals.

4) Go into saving mode until I have enough money saved to continue deals.

Anything I'm missing here or any recommendations from someone who has made this transition?