I have a real estate portfolio with good amount of equity (most of the portfolio is free and clear), however my personal DTI ratio is too high and that's stopping me from tapping into it to settle some debts and buy more properties.

You can then use the cash from the refinance towards a new acquisition, whether it's turnkey or value-add to BRRRR so you can help maintain a steady flow of properties if your goal is to expand and diversify your portfolio.

Separate from that, there isn't any special provision for storm damage not negatively impacting your insurance.

But $40k is way, way too high a price.

How does that impact value?

Plus stormwater pits , reforest fees , impact fees , and some other fees . 

My advice when looking at a house hack is to not get too in the weeds on how the property or building performs compared to other properties in the area, but rather view it from the lens of what it will do your personal finances and the impact it will have on your personal cost of living.  

Purpose is for a high end coliving project.

I enjoyed the process, but rates are very high right now. 

However since the purchase is high, mortgage on a 7.12% interest rate for 30yr rate plus HO insurance etc is about $4300 a month. should I follow that 25% rule or not.