Getting started and need a strategy

[Ken Simms]

I recently sold my home, which had a fair amount of equity, moved to Colorado and purchased a small, much less expensive older home in need of a rehab, which I am taking on almost entirely on my own. I currently have approx $250k to invest in rental properties and need advice on what my best strategy is for cash flow. One caveat is that I won't qualify for a standard loan as I currently have no W2's (long story, but I do have decent credit). 

One option I have been mulling over is to use approx $75k to build an adu in my backyard and rent out as a STR. Then use the rest to buy rental properties in another state, as prices don't really pencil out locally. Should I use an asset only loan to help buy multiple properties? For instance buy 3 SFR, each around $100k with 50% down on each.
I have been searching for multi family properties, but everything I see that is semi affordable looks to have relatively low ROI and look kind of run down. I realize there are a thousand ways to answer my dilemma, but any thought or advice would help me as I take the step into becoming a landlord. Thx