That left $75k to put into another deal.There’s something else you need to consider when looking for an FHA owner-occupied triplex or fourplex, which is that 85% of the market rents on all four units need to cover your monthly payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance).  

Buying at the top you only typically get principal pay down and some tax write offs.

I repaired literally everything in the house when I owned it, so maintenance has been minimal recently.However the house is in a good area with potential for appreciation and I'm 10 years into the mortgage now, so I'm paying down about $350 a month in principal.

Then I'll decide what minimum principal and minimum points will make the effort worthwhile.

Starting out here, Does PITI stand for Principal, Interest, Taxes, & Insurance?

If I were you, I'd ask one of your family members to be a key principal to sign on the refi.

Just like humans, some properties are a lot more low-maintenance than others.Your entire mortgage payment does hit cash flow, but technically the principal repayment portion is not an expense (it is repayment of debt).  

Became an agent in real estate business 12 years ago and  a  principal broker and owner today.The income from transactions helps to have cash to do further deals.

Lol....I don't know what you mean about practicing real estate, however it's not illegal to be a principal within a real estate transaction on the buyer or seller side.  

Take a look at this thread:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/61/topics/124...I use an All Inclusive Trust Deed where the payment amount and interest matches the seller's principal and interest payments.