Delay gratification is powerful and it's important to start your real estate investing journey early in order to reap the long-term benefits of real estate.

I'd say house-hacking is one of the best ways to get into real estate investing.

In other words held for steady cash flow.My VARIABLE (note) PORTFOLIO consists of more active/speculative notes - non performing notes I purchased at discount to principal owed; notes I hope to “work” for enhanced ROI, real property I “purchased” with a leaseback option to repurchase, and defaulted notes I purchased planning on eventually taking ownership of the real estate, as well as notes I created that don’t have current payments but provide a guaranteed return plus an equity “kicker” when the property is sold. 

Looking in Denver metro for either SFH or STR opportunities.

With a short sale, will the lender of the property pay for the commission of the buyers real estate agent?

Quote from @Na Wilson: I have a source (depending on credit score) that can do a 90% LTV DSCR loan on non-owner occupied real estate. 

Quote from @John Reagan Johnson: I am new to the real estate industry and am looking to connect and exchange businessIf you are new I would suggest something totally different. 

BiggerPockets has a decent system for finding a real estate broker in any given area.

The real estate and lease the property to an operator.  

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?