In this game, sticking to one property type is your fastest path to mastery.

Owning a duplex at 20 is a huge accomplishment, and it’s inspiring to see you’re already planning your next move.From my perspective, real estate investing is a long-term game focused on building equity, paying down debt, and maintaining stability over chasing short-term cash flow.

You don't want to be so focused on getting into the game that you leverage the start of your entire life just to do it.

Which they have no skin in the game (Technically).

A simulator/game could really help with that.

I'm new to the real estate investment game and I'm a bit nervous about dipping my toes into unknown waters. 

So it's a waiting game for that property until you have enough to do a cash out refi.

We did quite well in the Timber game in the 90s Owned many thousands of acres of Timberland during that time its a great industry one of the favorite things I ever did beat the heck out of rental houses LOL

I want to have a game plan in action prior to reaching out to lenders. 

A borrower really needs to have at least some "skin in the game" to make lenders feel comfortable.