If you're already in a secure financial position, leveraging your equity could be a smart strategy.

Have a baby, and gallop into the sunset (while still making calls to PM's)INTEREST:I first got interested in Real Estate Investing because of the potential financial freedom it can provide to me and my family.

Your plan to house-hack and reinvest is solid stay focused on properties that align with your financial goals, and you’ll build a successful portfolio over time.

Without knowing any of your financial position of your work or side hustles it is hard to give you exact advice because you may be able to carry these homes until they are paid off and in that case they would provide solid returns, but there are likely better real estate investments out there.  

You have a “full” package including property(s) identified, acquisitions under contract, appraisals performed by MAI appraisers, historical financial statements, pro forma projections, surveys, title reports, feasibility studies3.

Unfortunately with those numbers it's tough to find a non-bank lender/financial institution that will lend.Usually loan minimums are $50K and the up to 75% LTV on purchase-money/70% LTV on cash-out refinancing, which basically means you need up 25-30% depending on the type of financing. 

I'll add a few more things that can have a huge financial impact: required reserves, LTC (loan to cost), application or other upfront fees, and prepayment penalties.As a fellow flipper, I think it's important to have reserves, but they shouldn't be required as part of your funding.

In fact, out of 15+ deals I've submitted NONE have been purchased by Mentor Financial Group.

If so, invest.Then ask yourself if you're financially fit; can afford this property to make it 1.25 DSCR and have significant reserves for vacancy, capex, lead times, etc.

@Rae Chris Ann Arbor is pretty expensive, so difficult to find cashflowing rentals.You may want to look in Ypsilanti - if you want to stay in your area.Otherwise, Metro Detroit offers a LOT of options.Read our copy & paste below for some helpful info:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?