I also have a home currently owe roughly $60,000 in about $140,000 in equity I was thinking that would be a great way for me to get started and with that said really like to find a mentor

For example: if your home is worth $300k and you owe $120k, you have $180k in equity.

Primary residence (US) have $600K in equity/ owe $450K.

The property has earned $40k in equity in the last 4 years. 

Have about 150k in equity.

There would be 90k in equity.

The brokerage one is also self-directed but works more like a traditional 401(k) in that the investments are in equities and such.

I would recommend house hacking especially if it is your first deal for couple of reasons : - will bring down your housing expenses - find a property with some value add options ( use minimal down payment and use your remainder of cash for improvements ) , this will give you a boost in equity that can be used to buy more RE later- self managing via house hacking will take out property management expense and will teach you more on RE investing - house hacking will also give you the best loan product and chance to enter in high appreciating neighborhoods with very less money 

By focusing on these types of investments, I've managed to build up around $5 million in equity.

It has been a significant value add project so I have about $1.2m in equity.