How do I access a portion of that equity to fund the purchase of 1-2 more MFR properties in more affordable markets like OH, IN, MI, PA, TN, or AL?

With this type of YOY growth, you can re-invest you equity into upstate or OOS markets (i.e.

I have met a few folks recently who are active in that market and I am planning on following up and seeing what their experience has been.

We paid off our primary home last year and have been slowly getting the courage to jump into the investing market where we live in the Pacific Northwest.

At that time I will get the house cleaned up and list it on the market and when it sells I've agreed to get reimbursed my costs for reinstatement plus any other costs plus a fee for my efforts.

As someone else mentioned, insurance here is generally less costly than in Florida and other beach markets. 

I have a registered architect and structural PE on staff.Looking in the small multifamily market currently

If that is the case, just let them take it to market to sell.You could offer to manage the property and have them to rent it out now where you pay them a flat rate every month and anything you make over that amount is yours to keep.

Would this be the ideal market, or are there other rental options we should explore? 

When you charge under market rent, the IRS deems that you do not have a profit motive and, therefore, disallows all rental expenses.