If you can't attract tenants to an area, it's tough to get home buyers. 

I’m in a tough spot and I’m hoping the BP forum can give me some advice.

Even for folks on ground it could be a tough neighborhood.

So I don't NEED to cash out refinance, so much as prefer investing money that I got from property appreciation rather than deploying money that is not in rental houses (once your money is in a rental, it's tough to get it out without refinancing.

Seems tough and depends on the market/rents in that specific area. 

If you're actively managing your own portfolio, working p/t or business owner, and on top of it investing as LP in syndications, then your situation may differ from those who're f/t W-2 employees and are purely  LPs in syndications. 

I have a fabulous lender here in the Chicago suburbs who has helped me get tough deals funded for clients many times. 

Are you a salaried employee at the property management company or are you a licensed property manager?

EM once given can be tough to get back if the seller wont sign cancellation docs. your money could be tied up for years.. 

It is tough enough getting cash out refi, at a decent rate, these days especially on rental property.