Through all of my previous projects I've had W2 income but don't have that for my current project: converting a 1940's gas/service station into a coffee shop and bar.

Looking for some advise on leveraging my equity  I currently have 9 units across 7 properties which I acquired between 2013 and 2020, now totaling just under $1.9 million in value.

This could also be called an 'equity play' where you are just buying the property to get into the real estate game and build equity, as it isn't cash flowing in its current situation (be it because of high interest rate, high RE prices, or whatever).  

You would get an initial advance that is based on the current as-is value + the money to rehab the house in the form of draws.

Is it currently well occupied with renewals growing?  

@Agustin Rossi,I have been investing in Baton Rouge for the past 4 years and currently have 28 doors there.

The insurance is prohibitive but we're personally browsing property on the North Coast currently. 

I currently just bought my second property (a quadplex- 465k- that I am living in the basement so I was able to get owner occupant financing- doing one unit as a MTR and the other 3 long term.

It's a low bar to entry, your family has experience in real estate, and you can learn while you are in college.

I find that the market rents in Cleveland are pretty decent and compared to the state that I live in currently all the 3 major cities in Ohio do have a low barrier to entry.