Cash flow is the name of the game when it comes to controlling the asset so you are right it really doesn't matter whether the value goes up or down as long as you can carry it. 

If so you can look into Cash Re-Fi (not as popular these days with high rates) OR look into Home Equity Loan / Home Equity Line of Credit.

I can definitely tell you there's still a lot of positive cash flowing and 1% rule deals and you get amazing appreciation.

@Jorge Garcia I am a lender working mainly with investors and am happy to run numbers for you on a cash out refinance.Alternatively, you can do a HELOC.

@Kevin DuongShort-Stay Rentals (STR) can bring in a lot of cash but also come with high costs for when guests come and go and tough rules.

I am looking to use the real estate properties cash flow to also build my retirement within this process and I am just not sure how I will be able to build for retirement as well as build my home. 

The way it's marketed, you're supposed to make money in four ways: cash flow, capital gains, amortization and tax benefits.

Additionally, the costs of fixed rate seconds and HELOC's could come down from the double digits or make cash out refinances more feasible to tap equity for those with low first rate mortgage loans. 

In my experience most condos or townhomes don't cash flow well.

The cash flow would then be used to repay the PML, possibly faster if the home appreciates in value.