Because of the lack of income any interest rate I can get for a cash out re-fi is about 7.5% when I currently have 4.875%...

@Adam F. I

The 203k seems like it fits, but i can only have 1 FHA loan at a time (i think), which means i have to refinance and convert this 203k FHA to a conventional loan.  I think this strategy will allow me to build my multi...

The second job will only help partially as the fi underwriters won’t give you credit for all of the second job income.

Such loans are more conservative in nature, so expect a lower LTV on that cash-out re-fi than what you might receive on a personally guaranteed loan.There is lots of good information here on Bigger Pockets on the topic of these types of self-directed retirement plans, as well as several professionals in the field who are active. 

Hello BP,My name is Robbie and I am a new "investor" in Charleston, SC. I

Thanks @Glenn F. I

The hosts and guests made me realize that FI is important even if you don't want to RE just yet and how to use real estate to get there.

There are hardcore Real Estate Investors that will only invest in Real Estate and hold cash reserves, and there is a substantial part of the FI (Financial Independence) community that advocates for Index Fund investing (a la J.L Collins' "Simple Path to Wealth").

This is probably a newbie/simple question but I can't understand why the re-fi loan amount jumps up to $120,000 assuming 37,500 original loan balance + $45,000 in rehab financed by hard money lender.