Growing pains

[Steve Slomski]

I currently own 4 single family homes all with Mortgages of varying durations.  My total equity is 50% in these houses.  Even with this large equity I find it difficult to overcome expenses. 

My experience over 5 years leads me to believe that expenses will be 50% of income and the rest goes to paying on the mortgage.   How does one buy more properties without living on the edge ?

Must I pay off all my real estate before I buy another house to overcome expenses ?

I want to buy 16 more houses and don't want to be on deaths door before I acquire them ?

Anyone else going through growing pains ?