Given your situation and concerns, here's a breakdown of considerations and advice:Pros of Renting Out Current Home and Buying a New Primary Home:Living Condition Upgrade: Moving to a larger, newer home with boutique features can improve your living space.Rental Market: West Town in Chicago generally has a strong rental market, which could provide good rental income from your current home.Portfolio Diversification: Adding another property to your real estate portfolio can enhance diversification and potentially increase long-term wealth through property appreciation and rental income.Cons and Concerns:Interest Rate: The current interest rate of 7% on a new mortgage is high, and there's uncertainty about future rate decreases.

Thank you to everyone who responded, I'll be reaching out to shop rates and see what options are available based off my personal situation.What does the DSCR rates look like in comparison to conventional rates, as higher prices and rates will impact margins.

I I spoke with a rep about the DSCR and he is saying mid 7s maybe a bit higher for loan interest rates. 

However, rate would be prime + index + an additional +2% for the shock factor just to qualify, but you can draw the funds whenever you want vs cash out where you have to draw all the money after closing.Many borrowers would keep opening lines of credit, assuming you have the equity + income to qualify, as you keep rinsing and repeating the heloc process.

With high interest rates, there's less competition and more stable prices.

Our interest rate at the time was still very reasonable and it was something I wanted to lock in from the jump.

Historically, residential US mortgage rates are near their long term averages.

The rate difference between FHA and Conventional is actually over 1% right now for Multi family propertiesCurrently the rate offered is 6.75% and 193/m in PMI (private mortgage insurance)That makes the payment with taxes and insurance roughly:$3453/monthTaxes were $3820, and insurance is $1800/yrCurrently this building can rent each 2 bed unit for up to $1800/m with tenants paying all utilities.All in cost to close is: $71,414.64If you rent both units for $1800/m you can expect gross cash flow of $147/mThis is the reality of buying a turn key duplex in the area using todays rates and prices.I want to stress, that this is actually considered a great property and deal in todays market for the areaYes, prices are high, and so area rates...My goal is to show what is actually going on.

I have ~$100k in equity and have a 3.2% interest rate.

However, NYC has a ton of wealthy people and the result is really poor investment return rates.Cap rates in NYC are disappointing.