Work it out and secure the place.  

You can get 10% on a note secured by real estate with a low ITV.  

By the sounds of it the equity you have in your current properties is a significant tool you can use to secure financing of some kind including a home equity line of credit or maybe a refinance.

All the books and articles you have read will give you a false sense of security making you think that real estate investing is safe.  

~verbatim"At least one borrower must occupy the property and sign the security instrument and the mortgage note for the property to be considered owner-occupied.

I have a friend in commercial real estate securities who says that the large commercial securities is starting to look shakey and residential tends to follow not far behind.I agree that a correction is coming soon, but I do not think that we will have the bottom fall out like we did 8 years ago.

The tenants also probably have a security deposit that you will be on the hook for when they move out. 

There could be some security with the hoa in regards to not getting killed with a sewer line or some other outside expense..old tree falling, earthquake damage. 

Make the entire real estate contract, contingent upon the ability to secure financing.  

I'm also exempt for Social security ( meaning I don't pay into it anymore- so I will not collect much come retirement age).