Where are you looking to acquire your next property? 

While I’ve considered cash-out refinancing or HELOCs, the high rates make these options less appealing.I’m debating between using cash to acquire more SFRs or diversifying into mixed-use retail properties.

Quote from @Daniel Osman: Yes, you can use a 1031 exchange to acquire multiple replacement properties in Florida from the sale of your investment property in New Jersey.

I've seen many investors get burned because they failed to understand their hard money loan terms/rates, even if they did acquire what should have been a home run deal. 

The only way to know if your idea is worth doing from a wealth building standpoint is to do the math:  What is the cost to acquire?

Are you looking to acquire properties or do wholesaling?

The industry continues to see consolidation, with private equity-backed firms actively acquiring, albeit at a slightly slower pace than the frenzy a few years back.

Growing means refinancing or selling in order to acquire more assets.

The strategy I'm following for my first house hack is to acquire a multifamily property (duplex, triplex, quadplex) or SFH w/ an ADU (or potential for an ADU) as I am mainly looking to simultaneously acquire my first property and subsidize my mortgage payment.

Are you looking to acquire more properties to your portfolio?