Where and how to best invest in DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia)?

[Andrew Leung]

Hello, new here!

I heard real estate was one of the best ways to generate passive income. Specifically, accumulating rental properties throughout life. My goal would be something $10k/mo passive income before I'm an old man, and I'm currently 25 yrs old.

So what I'm working with here is a $100k+ salary. I'm going to spend 2018 learning as much as I can about REI and saving for my first downpayment. From what I've read so far, it sounds like the cool stuff such as apartment complexes in Washington D.C. are completely out of my reach, haha.

What areas, unit types, and method of REI do you all suggest for someone like me? I've heard my home of Northern Virginia is not the best to cash flow rentals.

Feel free to shoot me a message if you want to help a newbie out! I've noticed I usually fail the 1st time I try something new, so any guidance and advice is sincerely appreciated. Thank you. :)