Have no idea for direction.

[Shi Esguerra]

Hi gang! I’m Shi, newly introduced to real estate investing, and not sure where to start. I’m a home owner that would like to start building a portfolio but just lack the knowledge and direction. 
Are there investment friendly mentors that are willing to bring the water hose spray down a tad for me so I can learn next steps? At this point when I began seeking property for buy and hold, I learned that I have the credit score but not the 20% down. I'm just learning about HELOC but have been told to try and fund w OPM. The idea of going the route of small multifamily sounds like it may be a better route than a single buy and hold for my family. Hang up is the inability to house hack (I'm living in our primary w our family of 6), our VA is tied up (so no lower down expectations).
Kind of feels like I have my row boat and paddle on the trail but zero direction to the water. Any wisdom is greatly appreciated, thanks! 

[Jonathan Greene]

The advice you got was horrible about OPM. No one who owns a primary and is looking for a first investment should think about using other people's money. This is why talking to the wrong people can set you back light years in real estate investing.

You are rushing the process from your post. To get an investment property and stay in yours, you will need 20 percent down minimum. There is not a smart way around that so your job now is to meet other investors by going to meetups, save, and plan. You take what you learn on podcasts and books and workshop that with people in real life.

Too many investors are doing due diligence on how to invest only online. You need people in real life who have done it. You have maxed out your VA benefit amount on the primary?