Newbie - Looking to House Hack in Northeast Ohio

[Zack Phoenix]

Hello,

I am relatively new to the idea of real estate investing. My girlfriend and I recently started doing a lot of researching in to the idea and lifestyle and we have a goal of being financially independent within 5 years and "retired" within 10-15. We believe our best course of action to get started is house hacking.

We currently live in Northeast Ohio and would like to stay there for the time being, but are not 100% opposed to moving in the future. I'm trying to do as much research as possible, but figured I would post in here to get some insight from you all. Any tips, strategies, plans, recommended readings/viewings, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

I guess i'm kinda just looking for some basic guidance. We are both pretty intelligent people, and good with numbers. My girlfriend (of 5.5 years) just made a career switch and is getting her real estate license next month and has already signed with a broker in the area. I have an alright job and make around 45k a year before taxes. We have a little credit card debt that we are paying off and should be paid off soon. (Roughly 5k left, we've been paying about 1k a month off) Our credit scores should be in the low to mid 700s by the end of the year by our estimates.

If there is other information that is needed, please let me know. As I said, i'm pretty new to this idea (been looking into real estate for all of like 2 or 3 months), and I guess we're kinda looking for some help or direction on how to get started. Listening to the bigger pockets podcast, they have said just to go on here and post and that the community here is very helpful, so thought I'd give it a go.

Appreciate any help and thank you in advance!