When is it reasonable to begin searching for rental properties?

[Jaden Fein]

I am 23 years old and just finished my professional baseball career. I played D1 baseball in college and assumed I was going to play for a while. My plans/goals changed so I retired and started my first small business around 6 months ago(business isn't related to REI). I began looking into real estate investing around that time and I made it a goal of mine to own a single family property within 2 years of starting my business.

It got me thinking, at what point is it reasonable to start looking into rental properties? I was discussing my goals with my parents and they said I should have at least a years worth of income to even begin talking with lenders or agents. The real estate gurus on the socials say that you can get into a property easy, but I'm not sure what is good info!

Trying to learn as much as I can, and any info would be greatly appreciated! 

Thank you!