It does beat the expected inflation rate of 2% set by the Fed.Rents will remain about the sameWhat’s interesting is they also expect:A 11.7% increase in existing home inventory followed by Single-family new home starts growing at an impressive 13.8%. 

This is not the cheap markets but the higher cost markets.This year I added a half bathroom out of existing space in a very expensive area. 

Some lenders offer creative solutions, like a cross-collateralized loan, where they use your existing equity as security without refinancing the duplex.Another idea is partnering with private lenders or exploring a second-position mortgage, depending on your lender's terms.

Personally, if I were to sell the stock, I would buy more property, not pay off the existing one. 

Quote from @Isadore Nelson: I recently acquired a property with an existing tenant who has been living there for about four years.

In Texas, as a licensed agent, you’re generally required to use TREC-approved forms for real estate transactions unless an exception applies, like (I believe) leases longer than 1 year or where no TREC form exists.

Jason - First, we care about our users, which is why our policies exist. 

Have you considered tapping into your existing rental equity for the down payment?

Mainly LMLO's are rare, almost non-existant.  

Is there a pre existing loan with that bank with either of you?