What does that middle ground look like for you?         

Understanding your long term goals is important in making a decision like this. 

It sounds like a cash-out refinance or a HELOC could work well for your situation.

Hi Prasit,To transition from agent to acquisition manager, here’s the quick path:Leverage Your Agent Skills: Use your market knowledge, negotiation experience, and connections to find and analyze deals—key acquisition manager skills.Wholesaling Experience (Optional): Wholesaling can help build your deal-finding and analysis skills, but it’s not necessary if you can transition directly using your agent background.Training: Consider certifications like CCIM for commercial real estate or courses on platforms like BiggerPockets to sharpen your acquisition expertise.Network: Connect with investors or real estate firms to gain insights and potential job opportunities in acquisitions.Let me know if you need help with financing as you move forward!

I had issues with renting out the place earlier, and the current rent doesn't cover even the mortgage interest, let alone other expenses like property tax, insurance etc.

Whether you want to buy a 2-4 unit place where you live in 1 unit and rent out the rest or do something like a live in flip (where you fix up a house over the course of 2-3 years, move out and sell it to capture a tax free profit), it will mitigate your risk because it is where you live. 

If you would like to know further details .

Going to go for 2 years and my starting salary will be around low 200s should I go all in with a 4 plex or just start with a duplex like you said to?

With this kind of field its almost like all the info is out there but you dont know what to be looking at and in what order.

I look for recommendations on places like NextDoor, where local folks are complainers.