Equity is your frozen cash that you access as it grows to build your portfolio 

I would much rather add a property to my portfolio..

My first house hack involved me living in an enclosed patio while renting out all of the 3 rooms of a townhouse which was extreme, but I would not have the portfolio I do today if I did not take that first step! 

Most likely won't as your portfolio grows. 

However, my portfolio is mostly B2B and the businesses I work with are comfortable paying the nonrefundable fee plus the refundable security deposit. 

So you are averaging $2k/mo for rent across your portfolio?

They'll loan on a rental portfolio. 

Not having the latter I find myself on a journey to build a portfolio not just for wealth's sake, but to move the proverbial needle on beautiful design and provide a more pleasant built environment for all!

My wife and I have built up a portfolio of 14 strs over the past few years.

Setting ambitious goals keeps me motivated to grow and enhance my investing portfolio.