I am so grateful to learn that there is a community of people who have walked this path, are walking this path and have found their own success and manifested their greatest dreams and desires!

Regarding finding "deals", read below:The Real Estate Crash of 2008-2010 caused real estate prices to crash across the country - but didn't affect rent amounts.

In 2022 the rents increased 12.1% year over year which was the 3rd highest in the entire country per https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/02/14/cleveland-rent-prices.

Is that path or is there a better way to get to my end goal simpler?   

Hello Bigger Pockets folks,
I’m an early career professional mechanical engineer (~8 years) hoping to learn the ways of real estate investing and make the ultimate pivot. My dream is to have the freedom to pursue my ...

Turnkey rentals are a fantastic option - new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, some tenanted, systems with 10 years of life remaining on them and property management teams in place -especially in the Midwest and Southeast of the country!

Teahjsia, I think you are in the right place to network and learn from other investors that have walked the same path.

I wouldn't call that a true "DSCR Loan" - especially considering that a ground-up construction property won't have any cash flow so DSCR would be negative or 0 numerator if you'd try to calculate it ground up multifamily is not 0 cashflow there are hundreds of thousands of apartments built every year, leased up, and sold for a profit as well. we build not only at a discount for investors but 1% on infill lots I'd be really careful with all your absolutes. you can get land for 10k in columbus on lots you can build 2-4 units on in one of the cheapest construction markets in the country.

Be sure to take property taxes into account too - there's a huge difference across the country. 

The location is great on this property (2 miles to the Island / 5 mile to Dollywood), no HOA and sq ft ~ 335 (2bd / 2.5 ba) but getting very nervous as will be first deal and would love some input here or mentor input as continue down the path of investing and learning.