While cash flow is great, you need to have an ability to build equity over time.  

I do not tend to trust other people's abilities to responsibly have a pet.

I can't get residential loans on more than 10 and I can't cash out if I have more than 4 - and my first 3 are in a high appreciating market and I felt that I would be limited in my growth ability but not being able to reinvest the equity

Brie's advice (30yr) is in line with the majority of real estate investors and allows you the ability to aquire more property in a shorter time period.  

If this is true then I'm not sure that having my personal assets on the line is worth the ability to keep my loan spots open.

So to summarize leverage with a loan gives you the ability to stretch the cash further, increases returns, and spread out risk among a portfolio of properties.Many other benefits and with leverage you have to buy right.

@Clint Cook Your ability to discount depends on your local laws.  

It would be nice to increase my equity and ability to draw money out of the property, but for now I'm mostly focusing on general maintenance and repairs, and then preparing for things like a new exterior paint the in the next couple years.

So i'm weighing out collecting a potential $150k in gains and either begin stock trading (under an experience coach of course), or moving my investing out of state, or possibly holding onto these longer in hopes of further appreciation and having the ability to continue renting to ministry students/families.

Nor do they have the ability to source at wholesale etc.