Need help with first steps

[Michael Sokolski]

At this point, I think I've gotten all I can from reading and must start "doing" in order to begin life in REI. I'm looking for a little advice on where to start. I'm lucky enough to have saved money and I don't think I need to get involved with Wholesaling, shortsales, etc to raise money. I have $50,000 to get started.

Honestly, I'm scared. I guess that's normal but with my own mortgage, wife, and kids, I have enough worries. My goal is to buy rental properties for long term investments that will pay for themselves and cash flow monthly for me.

I'm just looking for some advice from experienced investors. If you had $50,000 and you wanted to start investing in real estate, knowing what you know now, how would you begin?