Or what are other ways I can access this equity to purchase?  

Quote from @Steven Catudal: Hi all,I am looking to partner with a friend of mine to purchase some rental properties.

.)- The property should be appreciating, if purchased in a good location, increasing the owner's equity/wealth.- Rents will be paying the mortgage off, increasing the owner's equity/wealth.- If you hold a rental until death, you can pass it on with a stepped-up cost basis, limiting captial gains if then sold (limited by inheritance tax limitations).Too many newbies on this site trying to replace their day job income via "passive" real estate investing w/o digging deep enough to understand how it really works.

I think instead, I'll just purchase what they call the "pre-protege" program.

Purchasing a “distressed” property and “repositioning” it requires significant capital for improvements, build outs, holding costs, maintenance.In looking for that “needle in a haystack” slam dunk great deal you’re competing with very knowledgable, greatly experienced investors with the cash to make no contingency offers and close in a few days.  

I purchased my first home through NACA to actually live in and I'm curious on how to build my RE portfolio from here.

I would like to purchase my first property sometime next year, utilizing this year to learn and network as much as I can.

I'm considering purchasing a condo or a small SFH in the Oceanside/Carlsbad area as an investment property and renting it out on a short term rental site like AirBNB. 

I am currently in the market to purchase a tri-plex with the plan to live in one unit, make upgrades, and rent the other two out.

I am looking to purchase an extended stay hotel.