Direct participation, active investing, extensive time commitment, etc. are NOT the only way to successfully invest.  

This is a great place to learn and to connect with people so take advantage of all the great resources.Welcome aboard and best of luck investing!

However, you'll never have to worry about a rodent problem in your house because you have the best rodent exterminators in the market.

If you are miserable and you feel like your situation is crippling you then that is not a way to live.

Somewhere in the middle is likely your best bet for a 20 year timeline.I have almost 50 units here myself and that's about what my portfolio is cash flowing at this point combined LTV is around 65% as loans have gotten paid down and values have went up.

Either way, the city may flag a rental structure that wasn't permitted.Good luck!

Are there any ways to use the equity that don't have brutal rates?

Best way is to just try to break it down piece by piece.Water- how is it being delivered to the homes. 

After 20 years as an investor, broker, and lender, I can tell you that house hacking is one of the smartest ways to start.

Perhaps that isn't what you asked, but that's my advice that I learned the hard way.