How do I get involved in Real Estate while I begin to save money for a down payment?

[Matthew Posteraro]

Me and my wife are planning on starting our investment journey by buying a multi-family home that we would live in as our primary residence. Before this we are planning to go debt free in the next 4 months. Then after that is achieved, we will begin saving for a down payment on our first house that we plan to buy in the next 2-4 years. I am someone who learns by doing, and beside reading as many books as possible during this time I am looking for ways to get my foot in the door of real estate investing. I work as a nurse, so I do normally have four days off per week that are free to explore real estate further but starting next month I will be working nights for the foreseeable future. 

I am not looking to get a real estate license for now, so that has seemed to limit my options as well. Any suggestions or pointing in the right direction would be appreciated. I am looking for any type of avenue that would give me first hand experience in any aspect of real estate investing, managing, etc. Thanks in advance for your help!

P.S. I am in the PA market in the suburbs of Philly and looking to invest in the Lehigh Valley area or as far south as Quakertown area.