But I'm starting to wonder if and when some appreciation resumes, and if and when market will dictate rent increases.Appreciate any opinions - thanks

Use the partner to scale, not the refi, split the cash flow according to shares dictate in your operating agreement.There's multiple ways you can approach your situation; I just wanted to provide some fresh eyes from the outside looking in!

You should dictate how rent is paid.

Your available cash will dictate what markets you should consider getting into.

Tenants don't get to dictate terms.

@Chase AlexanderRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I don't judge but it appears you're letting your daughter's decisions dictate your REI strategy.  

Where you fall in that range will be dictated by bedroom count per unit and the quality of the area/building itself.

@Rosette PooleRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I've got about $525K in equity in the property, but lenders have told me that I cannot get a HELOC to access that equity for additional purchases because the duplex was financed as an investment - they have said TX law dictates that HELOC can only be used on primary residences.