@Allena Williams youre on the right track! I'm not sure where you are located but I'd def recommend looking for a 'first time home buyers' class. They have them for free in lots of areas, no commitment just education (typically they are required to obtain any first time home buyers assistance programs that your area may offer. I was the same as you when I really started to want to buy my first house...no one in my close circle had that experience under their belt so I read a lot, talked to a few lenders, attended those classes (and online first time home buyers classes, also free) and scraped by. Your credit should be no problem if its in the 700's. Once your lender comes back with an approval amount ask them to send over the qualification letter, thats what agents want to see. Thats when the fun part starts - house shopping. If you dont have children I would def recommended house hacking like it was mentioned above, I only say if you dont have small children because it takes a bit more commitment and determination to house hack with small children IMO. Something to consider - if you dont want to pay a property manager you could consider making a close friend, relative or spouse the primary point of contact for your tenant(s). They dont necessarily HAVE to know their landlord lives right next door, just a thought!
Good luck!
