It is my understanding that people refinance and then use those funds other ways (personal living, investing, some to buy another property) as a means to minimize tax obligation. 

Also the school districts have been increasing property taxes in A LOT of investment properties thus eating some of our profits. 

@John BowensAre you loaning from a pre-tax 401K or did you convert to Roth and then loaning from there?

Start small and aim for properties that cash flow well, even after accounting for taxes, insurance, and repairs.Most importantly, keep taking action!

We both work in finance, so we’re pretty comfortable running the numbers.Our combined W2 income is ~$350K, and I work remotely with a very flexible schedule.We’ve saved over $200K across various assets (stocks, crypto, cash), and we live frugally, saving around $100K a year after taxes.

Brandon Turner's Rental Property Investing book is an excellent primer to understanding the happy path for purchasing a property - however in this market it really comes down to having bulletproof assumptions on rents/taxes/R&M/etc. as with rates as high as they are/inventory as low as it is, there is less cushion in your returns if you analyze properties with bad assumptions.

You have to adjust your expectations to match current reality, which includes higher mortgage rates, higher prices, more expensive taxes and insurance, more competition, etc.

Have you raised money prior?

. ==== Projected Income ====**Off Season**-$4,000/Month Rent Period: September - May (7 Months) Projected Income: $28,000**Summer 1**-$8,000/Week Rent Period: June (4 Weeks)Projected Income: $32,000**Summer 2**-$8,500/WeekRent Period: July-September (12 Weeks) Projected Income: $102,000**Optional** (Basement Apartment)-$2,000/Month -Rent Period: Year Round Projected Income: $24,000TOTAL PROJECTED INCOME: $186,000 ==== Operating Cost ====-Mortgage: $84,000 ($7,000/Month) -Utilities: $36,200Gas $6,000 ($500/Month) Electricity $6,000 ($500/Month) Internet $2,400 ($200/Month) Garbage $5,000 (Estimate) Pool $4,000 ($250/Week)Landscaping: $4,000 -Mowing: $2,400 ($150/Week)  -Clean Ups: $1,600 (Spring & Fall)-Weekly Turnovers: $8,800 ($550/Week)==== Legal Cost ====Summer Rental Fee: $20,100 (15% of $134K)Sandwich Rental Tax: $6,855 (15% of $45,700) NET PROFFIT: $38,845.00

Compare this to your total monthly costs, including mortgage, insurance, taxes, vacancy and maintenance.