Additionally, while rates aren't historically bad right now, they are higher than 4-5 years ago, and they will be even higher for you as an investor than they were as an owner occupant, which is what you were when you bought originally.I get that you are anxious to add to your portfolio, but that could be achieved without touching your first golden goose.Sometimes on BP, the push is to leverage every last spare penny, but that can be a risky game as the markets shift. 

I may take you up on that.  

Your financial background is a huge asset, and it’s great that you’re starting locally in Milwaukee while keeping an eye on future expansion.If you’re looking to connect with like-minded investors, the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin is a fantastic resource for networking with rental portfolio owners, accessing legal resources, and finding contractors. https://www.aasew.org/For mentors, funding sources, and flippers, the Milwaukee REIA is another great group to explore. https://www.milwaukeereia.com/I’m a member of both and find unique value in each—maybe we’ll cross paths at a future meeting!

Any luck on Batch Driven?

Steady pay, you can learn how to manage property and deal with people, and you'll be licensed to handle sales on the side.

Focus on high-demand rental areas (suburbs for multifamily, tourist/business hubs for STRs) and consider scaling with the BRRRR method to build passive income.

I can definitely attribute a lot of my success over the last few years due to the connections I made on Bigger Pockets and the things I've just simply learned by listening to and reading all the great info available here!

I've had qualified renters move into a rental, add their bum friends or family members, and then disappear, leaving me with bad renters who weren't approved and aren't on the lease.The best practice is to screen every adult, approve them, and add them to the lease. 

Quote from @Zara Massoud: Hi, The PM company we signed on has a clause to add them as 'additional insured'.

Building an ADU is a nice way to add value but you won't get that funded by a lender.