5 year blue print from Newbie

[Noah Dexter Leslie]

So, being financially free in 5 years has been in my head for awhile. I’m 21 and being 26 and able to quit doing HVAC full time and have rentals and so much more freedom sounds amazing and it’s what fuels me. 
I have a 5 year blue print written out for a goal of $5,000/m in cash flow by the time I’m 26. I tried a few different ways of getting this, Ex. Accumulating $1,000/m in cash flow for 5 years is an obvious way. 

My definite chief aim is $5,000 a month in cash flow in 5 years. I want to invest in SFR. It’s what I’m sticking with unless I find a greater formula. It’s my #1 goal. And I’m putting it out there to be known.

I don’t have any deals and very few relationships with any investors, agents, lenders. I have tried a little bit of wholesaling with Bryant brislin I met here on biggerpockets. (One of the coolest people I’ve met) but I felt like it wasn’t for me.

I have been learning about RE investing for a while but haven’t really made any moves mostly out of fear of borrowing huge sums of money and taking loans. I’ve been analyzing deals from my local area on Zillow  everyday and learning the lingo and how to adjust numbers to get the purchase parameters I want. I go to a investors group once a month but I haven’t had made any connections (given I don’t really talk at all when I’m there but have meet some cool people) 

I know what I want and I understand I still have to develop skills, habits, and relationships to get me where I want to be, but that’s what I’m here for. Thank you

[Chris Springer]

@Noah Dexter Leslie A safe bet would be to start with a SFH househack, where you rent out rooms, or buy a multi unit and rent out out the other unit(s). This offers the best financing as your primary residence, lowest down payment, and lower risk - because at least you are primarily putting a roof over your head. If you have housing expenses right now, you can aim to get a property you can househack, where you break even or decrease your monthly housing expenses. For example, if you pay $1000 a month now, and a mortgage payment is $1500, but you can rent a room for $500... you now own an asset with principle pay down, and appreciation (which can later be leveraged), at the same cost of living.