Best Strategy for Starting Out in Real Estate

[Doug Kirk]

Newbie in the North Central Ohio area (Lucky me) who hopes to have about somewhere around 6 digits near the new year to start out with and cannot decide which way to go.  I make good money and am single. Goal is to try for 8-10 Properties and try to leave my W-2 in 3-5 years.  I can't decide whether to be aggressive on buying and paying down one or spread on a couple and pay down slower.  I want to limit my risk as not knowing where the economy may be going.