We are in Sub-markets, which have led us to having a very small general contracting pool and can't find any contractors to keep up with demand.

Want to keep these forever, sell in few years, buy more?

Keep track of 3 buckets.1) Owner occupied portion - potential deductions for schedule A2) Tenant occupied portion - potential deductions for schedule E3) Jointly occupied portion - likely prorated for both schedules.There are nuances to this, so I recommend looking for a tax pro who can coach you on this. 

Good luck on your journey and keep it up!

I took my thrashing as you know in 2020  I do know some of my clients that sell turnkey have been keeping the houses and doing BRRRR instead of selling them to investors that part of the market has slowed signficantly for many in that industry.

People who fail to keep good tenants and turn over every year, they lose. 

I believe interest is tax-deductible if used for property improvements or purchases, and it gives you quick access to funds while keeping your stock portfolio intact.Private Money Loan: If you have a trusted partner and terms that work well for both parties, this could be an efficient solution without tapping into your other assets.

I have been to a couple meetups but want to keep expanding.

As GPs, we owe it to our partners and stakeholders to keep communication clear, honest, and consistent.

You could also check out options like Cozy or TenantCloud for similar features.When converting to LTR, just keep an eye on local rental laws, lease terms, and any rent control rules that might apply.