My plan would be to occupy the small apartment unit, and utilize the main house for my small business.

@Frank Patalano do you utilize any of the real estate crowdfunding platforms out there?

Some do not allow access or inspections, and some will not have utilities turned on so its tough to determine what is and is not working.

Additionally, national lenders like Chase and Wells Fargo have strong multi-family loan programs that cater to out-of-state investors.Scaling OwnershipGiven your available cash and equity, here are a few strategies to consider:Leverage Existing Equity: Utilize the equity in your current properties through a cash-out refinance or HELOC to increase your purchasing power.Partnering with Other Investors: Consider syndications or joint ventures, which can help you scale more quickly without using all your own capital.Diversify Markets: While the Midwest is great, keep an eye on emerging markets across the country that may offer similar benefits.Focus on Value-Add Opportunities: Look for properties where you can increase value through renovations or improved management.I specialize in selling new construction duplexes in downtown Indianapolis, and I’ve found that multi-family properties here provide strong returns.

Even IF (BIG if) their method can be successfully utilized, without the right knowledge/ education you won’t be able to utilize it profitably, at least not for the long run.

.$1.5K in utility bills during vacancy or owner responsibilitiesMy vacancy rate in the Austin area has been less than a week on average, usually a day.  

I have a pretty fair amount of equity in it I'd love to utilize. 

Depending on your liquidity/vesting in these retirement accounts - utilizing these accounts can be a great way to purchase more property, you'll just want to be sure you're covering all the bases to keep you on track for retirement, emergency fund etc.If you have any more specific questions as it relates to financing i'd be happy to chat more in the DM's!

I use Rentec Direct for the basic property management/accounting, and Cozy for rent and utility payments.

Additionally, it can help maximize renovations and improvements.A Cost Segregation study is an IRS approved federal income tax tool that increases near term cash flow by utilizing shorter recovery periods for depreciation to accelerate return on investment.