I’m new here and not a real estate professional—just an entrepreneur navigating some challenges and hoping to connect with property investors who might see an opportunity in my situation.My main business has hit growth hurdles, creating financial strain that’s forced me to part with my primary home in Pensacola, FL.

My goal is to achieve financial freedom through house hacking and long-term rental properties.

We're currently both working a W-2 job with a combined household income of roughly $150k, and searching how to start to our journey to financial freedom. 

I'm curious about which might lead to quicker financial gains?

Both properties have a substantial amount of equity that’s essentially sitting idle.Would it be a good idea to tap into this equity (through a HELOC, cash-out refinance, etc.) to fund future fix-and-flip projects or purchase additional rental properties?

Hey Amber - You're asking the right questions—selling multiple properties creates both tax planning opportunities and reinvestment challenges, and the best approach depends on your long-term goals and overall financial picture.If your priorities are reducing taxes, maintaining cash flow, and moving to a truly passive structure, you may want to take a second look at passive exchange vehicles like DSTs and 721 UpREITs.

We will soon see what the financial authorities have to say.

My background includes project management, financial modeling, and launching a real estate private equity fund.

The other thing I noticed is their last audited financials are in 2021 (submitted in 2022) and they did not file any 2022 audited financials or their 1-SA in 2023.

There are pros and cons depending on your goals.Why an LLC Might Be a Good Move• Helps protect your personal assets in case of a lawsuit• Makes it easier to bring in partners in the future• Keeps your real estate finances separate from personal accountsWhy It Might Not Be the Right Move Just Yet• Most traditional lenders will not give a mortgage to an LLC, so you may have to use commercial or DSCR loans, which usually have higher rates• Some people assume an LLC will save them money on taxes, but rental income is still taxed as pass-through income for most investors• There are extra costs like annual filing fees and bookkeepingA lot of new investors get stuck on this decision, but the reality is, you can always start out in your personal name and transfer properties into an LLC later.One more thing I wish someone told me early on is that property management takes more time than you think.