We have built a successful business and are looking to expand in the future.

This strategy leverages your equity to expand your real estate portfolio while potentially benefiting from appreciation and rental income.House Hacking:Use your equity to purchase a multi-unit property (like a duplex or triplex) where you can live in one unit and rent out the others.

Just make sure your property has something that cannot be easily replicated. 

If they are professional, they can explain this quickly and easily.

Saying that you are not handy in the least leads me to believe you could easily be snowed by bad subs and thus should have a good GC to look out for your interests. 

Downside equals Expense and they can be stolen easily.

I could get more by expanding before getting into it, which will be more beneficial in the long run.

We also note the date the property was sold and the lender can easily verify recording of the documents. 

One strategy could be to look for a property with flexible spaces that can be easily adapted for different uses (e.g., converting a bedroom into an office or studio).

(Easily 20-30 hours of tech time?