My question is in order to invest and obtain more financial freedom.... do I refinance the house and pull the cash to invest, refinance to home to a lower rate and no PMI for a 700.00 dollar payment (house rents for 1500.00 a month), sell the house and take the 80k and buy multiple rental properties with 20% down and also buy another home to live in?

After the recession my world in new industrial and health care construction came crashing down, I was laid off without notice and zero work to be found.  

You, like us, know real estate is the key to financial freedom and what can be more inspiring to talk about than that!?

My goal, like many on the site, is for early financial freedom.

I got into this business for the freedom it brings.

I know this is quite the wall of text, but I don't really have any family or friends who are financially knowledgeable and don't really know where I should turn to for advice, so I apologize ahead of time for the novel below.I had been working two jobs, seven days a week, 72+ hours a week for the past six months, and had planned on continuing to do so until I could secure a loan and make the transition into a rehab project on what would be my first property (I decided a while ago that real estate was my answer to early financial freedom).

To me, money creates FREEDOM.

I know that for many there's a burning need for financial freedom, to retire early or to become a successful REI but, portfolio's typically arent built quickly, they take time, focus, and dedication.

However financial freedom has always been something that I want to start working toward and real estate seems to be the best way.

Your competition - those veteran agents, investors who want to use you,  potential  buyers who never make decisions.Wow - if I knew all this before I got my license (over 40 years ago), I'd think I would pass on it.It's nice to be a Realtor - as such it may open some doors of opportunity to you - and splash you will bits and pieces of knowledge like -How to evaluate the marketFeesAccess to you local MLS HUD contractsFHA offersConventional contractskick out clausesShort SalesWhy you dislike lenders who turn your customers down for a loanAll about underwritersHow to dress for successContinue educationAll about lead paint and other legal disclosures you have to make to stay legalWhat you don't learn in the agentn's training to get your license are -How to write an offer as a principal (with Realtors contract you only fill in the blanks)Creative Financing - Subject to existing mortgages, delayed settlements, options, joint ventures, re-fi- for take over, blank mortgagesCAP rates - essentials to know when working on income propertiesPower ProspectingContract EngineeringTax sale certificate investingProperty Inspection and AnalysisControl and Roll contractsAssignmentsFlippingWholesalingFreehabbingNegotiating investment StrategiesManagement of tenants, clients and yourselfBusiness Entities &  Tax StrategiesForeclosuresMay I suggest - the best client as an agent you can have is YOURSELF - when representing yourself - you are the client - you make the rules - you make offers - you have the freedom to work when and where and for how long - you don't need to answer to anyone as long as you are honest, make full disclosures and act as reasonable good person.As an agent if you sell a clients a building for $200,000 at 6% commission you will make .25% of that or about $3,000 (estimates only).If you controlled (not settled - only under contract with a clause to assign) a building for $90,000 and assigned your contract (wholesaling) it by private treaty or public auction for $110,000 (still below the market) you'd walk away from settlement with $20,000 - that is more than the commission as an agent on a larger property as an agent and easier without all the regulations required as an agent.Sorry for the long reply to you question and for being a little negative about being an agent - being an agent is an honorable profession, the learning curve and the hustle factor is more than some folks want to deal with.I like being a broker, but love the big pay checks that we investors earn.So sit now - interview yourself - ask questions --Where do I want to be financially in 6 months, how much money do I expect to make representing myself - $5,000 - $10,000 - $20,000?