I would suggest staying in California if you can since you're new to this, because unless you have some boots on the ground in other states it might be pretty inconvenient to have to fly out there if needed for some property emergency (like the home catches on fire, flood, etc.)With 25% down you can make the numbers work in Sacramento.

What types of routine or emergency maintenance will it need (water leaks / exterminator / smoke & CO2 detector maintenance / air filters / gutters / outside maintenance / paint / flooring / refresh between tenants, etc.).

I don’t think we’ve met in person since the day I hired him and talked over the phone maybe 3 times (emergency damage).

https://www.thebalance.com/how-much-should-i-have-in-my-emergency-fund-2388353

I would also be sure to get all of their contact info again to include emergency contacts etc. so you can maintain communications with new tenant.

You might start off by managing your first rental property and then hire a good management company with a minimum of 30 units so you can afford one and will takeover the daily involvement to take care of those emergency calls and new tenant screening.If you have or can get YouTube, watch a man named Grant Cardone who has many videos on there and believes in buying apartments. 

I have done some research into top expanding and emerging markets from PW/ULL and over the past few years Columbus has been continually growing and a hub for new migration among recent graduates and young professionals, which has contributed to my goal of working in the multifamily sector of the commercial real estate market. 

I'll put about $8k into some low expense ETF's to hopefully earn a little interest but more importantly be usable as an emergency fund for the rental. 

I have heard David Lindahl's "Emerging Real Estate Markets: How to Find and Profit from Up-and-Coming Areas" recommended.

If you don't have enough spots for the number of cars, it's good to give them a spot in the yard or stacked into driveway that they can use during snow emergencies.