Hi Liam,
Congrats on getting a gameplan together around what you'd like to do and for getting close to your down payment goal!
I think it depends what you'd like to do whether you invest in state or out of state. There are areas where you can cashflow well on multifamily properties, but there are other investment types as well that may feel a bit safer. In state you could live in the property which would be easier to get a loan and most likely better terms, keyword "most likely."
The other route I like is investing in hot markets in STR's, we're halfway through the summer right now. If you're able to invest in a market where people usually go for vacation in the winter like FL, AZ, Carolinas potentially, then you can get something soon and immediately be renting it and getting a return on your investment this fall. You can use an experienced property manager to help run it from afar and still make money.
We do it out here in AZ but there are other markets as well. Let me know if I can be a resource for you.