Tenants do want another tenant having access to their home and the manager doesn't want tenants knocking on their door all hours of the day.

You could also explore HELOC options, which might give you access to the equity you've built without needing a full refinance.

I’m not sure what the rules,regulations, restrictions are for renting out basements, so I’d appreciate some input from people who have done this before

Almost every property on my street is a 3+ unit property.Now, I understand that I cannot build a quadplex due to zoning restrictions.

Side effect, this gives you access to FHA should you ever find a property to use it on. 

Larger checks often want longer track records.  2014 founding doesn't cut it when these same investors have access to groups with 1998 founded companies, with more deals and similarly consistent returns.Co-investment: Larger checks often do require significant co-investment.  10% of equity is common.  

HELOC: good for short-term use of equityAre there other ways to access equity in your home?

It will increase the value even to investors, you just may have longer days on market when you want to offload because fewer buyers will have access to a loan like that. 

There are plenty of neighborhoods where you can still get access to a pool for your guests. 

But then my LLC will need a down payment and I wont have access to the equity right?