Trouble getting into real estate

[Parker Staten Rish]

I am struggling and just can’t put the pieces together yet.  I understand most creative ways to finance and I understand what certain loans do, but I am having trouble figuring out what is good for my situation.  

House hacking is non existent in my area and any area 100 miles from me so I wouldn’t be able to get into investing by house hacking.  My wife and I need a place to stay as we are currently renting and want to own a cheaper starter home.  Knowing that we are buying a home for ourselves what do you guys think I would need to do to get into investing as soon as I could.  Purchasing the home is going to put a huge dent in the reserved.  What should I do to get into this investing sooner than later?