Just getting my own home... what now?

[Andriana Babikian]

I just got an offer accepted on a home that my SO and I are buying for ourselves. It's everything we've wanted, including location, on the water, size, etc. It's our first home, and now that we have a big loan out there, what is the best way for ME personally (not really him) to start out small with investing? I was thinking beginning with saving for a DP on a hard money loan, then maybe getting a small condo to fix up and rent out...? I know some of those places unfortunately have rent stipulations (like waiting one year or more). I just want to know of any ways one can start out considering I just got my OWN home and will be spending a lot of $ on that for the next year or so. We definitely do not want to flip and sell/rent our home (we want to live in it and enjoy it)... so any advice is appreciated. THANKS!