New and inexperienced, where to start?

[Hunter Hughes]

Hey guys! I'm new to BP but I'm glad I discovered it. I've been interested in real estate for a while now. Really my interest lies in renting out apartments that I own. I was told a good place to start was getting a 4-plex and living in one of them and renting out the other 3. It seems like everyone on here, however, mainly builds their futures and fortune as real estate agents. I don't really want to get into the full-blown buying and selling homes side of things. I just want to own and rent properties out. Where's a good place to start? I truly know next to nothing about real estate, but I'd love to learn and see what steps would be good for me. Thanks a bunch for all of your feedback!