I am aware of 1031 but wondered if I can just cash out without purchasing new property.  

I plan to utilize some cash, margin loan, 401k loan, and a HELOC as a down payment.My first house hack (now an out of state investment) has a Zestimate of $530K, and I have $266K left on the loan.

Can you easily find cash purchases close to the property and things like that?

I think another trick is, can you get a mortgage or is it an all cash deal?

Also know that upon sale sometimes the presence of more water meters increases value.Curious to understand the forum's opinion on the best water meter configuration given costs OR if it’s just not worth it and I should leave the one master meter and stick with RUBS on all 4 units.

My main aim of interest in real estate is to increase cash flow and overall build wealth that can replace my day job and give me more flexibility with my time.

There's a lot on the landlord side that you'll want to get caught up on and it will take some time to get your systems right but I think it's worth it.

that's awesome @Tieirra Singleton I love those areas for real estate investing - there is so much potential for cash flow + equity build up.

You have to be willing to not give up when things get difficult, or don't go as planned.  2.This journey is worth it.

I took no money from the cash flow (when there was any) and I never made a late payment to the bank.This fall, nearly 12 years after the bank gave me that house, and over 15 years after I knocked on that door - after evictions, vacancies, insurance claims, and never taking a dime out of it - I sold that house and placed all of the proceeds in a 1031 exchange.