Advise on scaling using existing equity and IRA

[Craig Gillis]

Hi there! My first post after listening to my first Brandon Turner book on Audible and now on my 2nd and browsing this page as well as Facebook.  A lot of info to be mined from here that won't happen overnight! Below is a snapshot of my portfolio. I have some work to nudge rents up to market but they are certainly capable of pulling this much or more. It's just tough keeping up with the rate of increases in my area. 

I first learned from an old-school investor who was of the mindset, only 15 year notes. While it is great after 15 years, I'm left wondering where I could be in 15 or 30 years if I start scaling now (instead of 9+ years when these are paid). I am just having a tough time convincing myself that 30 years is OK and to pull out the equity now to scale as I can no longer save at the rate I had before for downpayments and the downpayments are much larger. 

Would you scale now or let these low rate, short terms notes get paid down? 

Obviously this is assuming the market maintains or increases. If we're in for a crash, the answer is obviously don't scale now! lol 

My options finance wise would be HELOC, cash out refi, self directed IRA, hard money. I am also laid off but my wife is only on our primary so should be able to refi with her as a co-signer.