Better to have cash or equity to fund future REI?

[John Humphries]

Ok, here's a really loaded question with lots of possible answers.  Here goes - I'm wondering what the best strategy is for getting a conventional mortgage for my next investment.  In my case, I own my primary residence and another rental property with mortgages on each.  I've been maxing out my mortgage payments on my primary residence in order to pay down the mortgage faster, but I would like to buy more properties over the next few years.  In order to get mortgages on these future investment properties, is saving cash or building equity a better plan? Or does it even matter?

Any opinions welcome here.  Thanks.