I then was offered a position at a local growing investment mortgage bank.

30% down 30yr mortgage How did you add value to the deal?

We have a 15 year mortgage with about 7 years left (throwing a bit more on principal each month). 

Put all your cash flow into improving your existing rentals or buying more.

I am new to real estate investment and planning to start ramping up long term rental properties in 2025, however my first two primary residences were both converted into MIL's and rented within months after closing which effectively followed the House-Hack tactic (we currently rent our furnished basement to primarily traveling nurses for 3-6 months at a time which covers 70% of our mortgage).

@Megan Alanhello. house hacking is a powerful strategy. in an ideal house hack you would:-pay roughly the same that you'd pay in rent, net to the mortgage. 

., utilities, mortgage, etc.).

We want to rent out the basement as a one-bedroom apartment to defray the mortgage cost.

Here's why:-Management: One property tax bill, one mortgage, one insurance bill, etc.

Be careful of investing based on existing relationship.