See if you can get a copy of The Millionnaire Real Estate Investor by Keller.The Slight Edge and Atomic Habits too.

But then wouldn’t I be losing all the gained equity in our primary home?

My primary focus right now is Duplex/Triple & REI investments, with a goal of achieving financial freedom.

seems high. this town is very expensive so bids are always highs.For the residential I plan to just build lots.For the farmstead area our plan is to build our primary home and then 5 smaller cabins for rentals.That road above is a smaller access road to the little cabins.

I am looking to sell my current home and buy a new primary residence($500K value) but dont have a monthly income.

The house upstate would be my primary residence and i do intend to live there. 

A HELOC or loan on your primary could provide funding, but that is typically not designed for longer term funding - i.e. a down payment on a multifamily....

One of my friends recently asked me for advice, and I want to make sure there's not something I'm missing or a better option for him. 
He and his wife are renting a property that his parents own. They are paying $1,1...

This is a great strategy and our former primaries have become the best performing rentals in our portfolio.

prices are high, interest rates are high, there is tremendous demand for inventory by both retail / primary buyers and investors, good contractors are booked up, some materials are still expensive. ' can't we just be honest that (1) if you are in a strong financial position, then yes, RE is still a good investment and ALSO  (2) it's way more difficult than it was in 2016?