Some said they wouldn't do a HELOC if there was a non-occupant co borrower on the first loan.

Except for the forgoing Borrower may pay all or a portion of the amount earlier than it is due.I have cash (due to sale of a property one of the LLC's owned free and clear) that is sufficient to pay down 3 of these mortgages. 

You and your friend's borrowing power is quite strong based on your combined incomes.

Tried searching for a post about this - apologize if it's been covered.From an article on Yahoo:“An estimated 452,000 borrowers will leave forbearance on Sept. 30.

… @Lesley WhitleyThe new loan amount can be no more than the actual documented amount of the borrower's initial investment in purchasing the property plus the financing of closing costs, prepaid fees, and points on the new mortgage loan (subject to the maximum LTV, CLTV, and HCLTV ratios for the cash-out transaction based on the current appraised value).

When I started out I borrowed as much as I could for as long as I could. 

What this means is that the borrower nor the lender has direct control on the appraisal.

What should I be thinking about this order of borrowing money for different types of properties?

Cash reserves are much more important than experience when determining their borrower’s risk.

That leaves Roth IRAs, but they cap how much you can invest, and you still are forced to part with your money for decades.I'd far rather put as much of my money in an appropriately designed, high cash value, whole life insurance policy, borrow out from the policy and buy real estate.