Definitely start first by getting educated about the various ways to get started, then consider all of the methods against your current resources (cash/credit/network/skill-set/income/assets/debt/time/knowledge/experience/etc...), desires, likes/dislikes, near-term, medium-term and long-term goals, and time that you have to devote to doing REI. 

I don't have consumer debt, and I have a little cash saved up.

Currently, I have two properties a triplex and a duplex but I am maxed out in my debt to income ratio and until I've had my properties two years I can't use the income to garner any more mortgages.

This way you could have no change in monthly debt service and yet have a free/clear property to go to any bank to do a fresh TERM loan or LOC5.

Hi Darren,No I am not doing anything with the townhouse...It has a small mortgage under 80k and is my primary residence...so if the market goes to hell I can sail through no problem....Over leveraged home owners and investors will be the ones hit hardest.....when they owe$500k on a condo and overnight the price drops to $200kGet rid of debt if possible......

Can this be done with out looking at debt to income?

Equity is basically the market value of the property, less any debt owed on it. 

I'm currently in a very aggressive debt elimination strategy to be completely debt free by 2017 (without any major bumps in the road).

Some DIY projects l enjoy are flooring (tiling and laying hardwood mostly) and restoring nice hardwood.

That one that gets $695 you may get $550-600...Given some of the numbers you provided, you are looking at NOI of around $705 p/month before debt service...See if you can take the loan over subject-to existing financing..