Unfortunately, you must refinance the property completely with a new mortgage in order to pull equity out (or pursue a line of credit with a local bank). 

Rents tend to rise over time, amortization steadily increases equity, incomes rise, so the investor has a lot of “cover” for unfortunate timing or operating “mistakes”.Number 2 - periods like 1932 - 1941 and 2008 - 2013 are much harder on this strategy.  

Unfortunately, I have dealt with them and know firsthand their horrible reputation.   

It appears the percentage of people living this way is growing and the internet is giving them an easy way to constantly complain, "woe is me".Unfortunately, politicians are starting to pander to this segment of the population for votes.Unless something changes, morally-challenged politicians will give more and more government subsidies to these people (to get re-elected), increasing the national debt until the country defaults on its debt.

If you can get a few roofers (not handymen) out there to assess the situation, they could probably give you some options that would be tailored to your specific roof & circumstances.

I don't think I have any knowledge to know the difference unfortunately, and don't know next steps on how to evaluate. 

Unfortunately I was dealt a conscience.

Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina are unfortunately at very high risk as well.I think we’ll see large swaths of climate refugees moving to the midwest, upper midwest and mountain west.

Unfortunately this is true in most markets.

Hi Lucas,I would not advise it unfortunately.