Depends what your goals are, @Connor Castillo.If you are simply after cash flow: pay off the debtIf you are confident in your strategy, use leverage to obtain more properties.

My goal is to generate income since I am closing my business which is my 9-5.

This applies to properties used for the production of income, such as rental properties.However, if you initially declared your property as an STR (which typically falls under different tax rules), you might have been using a depreciation period of 39 years, which is common for non-residential property or property used for personal purposes.When you convert your property from STR to LTR, it's considered a change in use for tax purposes, and you would adjust your depreciation schedule accordingly.

Doing thorough research, developing a sound investment strategy, and making well-informed decisions that align with your long-term goals are key.

Going into a potential deal, I look at the track record of appreciation (sales comps) in the immediate area, not the general area, and based solely on properties that are within 10% higher/lower in sq ftg than the property I'm looking at.I have a goal of a specific number ()in dollars, NOT percentages) that I need to achieve in appreciation. 

I'm wanting to start to develop my rental portfolio for long term goals and retirement!

My goal right now is to retire my fiance and try to be more in control of what we do in our lives when it comes to making money.

Then sit quietly and brainstorm and write down in considering real estate goals your 1 year goals, your 3 year goals, your 5 year goals, and your 10 year goals.

But don’t wait until they’ve already found other deals and made other plans. good idea - and agreed; our most important goal is to get rid of the monthly payment!

It would depend on your goals, what kind of agent do you want to be?