Rental properties advice needed

[Tim V.]

I have approx $160000 in equity on our rental property, it used to be our primary home, converted to a rental when we bought a new home

I was told the equity I have in it is dead money and if I wanted to really start investing in rental properties I should pull the equity to purchase 1-2 more rental properties

Im a landlord by mistake honestly but Ive learned enough to make it work for nearly 3 years.

I really want to start learning as much as I can and become a successful real estate investor and landlord

Question 1: what would you do with the equity I have in my rental? Use it to buy more rentals or leave it so I get my rental paid off (approx $76000 left to pay)

Question 2: what was your first real estate investor reading material that really helped you learn the ins and outs of being a landlord or real estate investor or both?