I have credit already established and want to make it less complicated.

Although I’d like to do a large dscr loan and get 4 to 5 three and four bedroom units, I’m likely goin to start with just one quality property in order to establish proof of concept to present to future down payment partners or private money lenders.

Better to accept today's rates over waiting and gambling on lower rates in 2023. 

You can start of with a turnkey that can use a light rehab to help you build a team and establish a foundation to than get into bigger projects. 

Short term rental is always a larger gamble with more headaches than a long term rental.

I've established boundaries with tenants.

Subsequently, after establishing a balanced relationship with the tenant, you can consider making upgrades to the landlord's apartment,as a sidenote: Should any usable items be removed during renovations, offering them to the tenant can foster goodwill and enhance the tenant-landlord relationship.

I'm not as creative as some with funding sources and haven't established access to the private funding others have (yet... hopefully)... so for me, at present, cash for future down payments is key.

Establish interest reserve for each loan so there are no non performing loans to report2.

Establish your criteria, such as location, spending limit, kind of home, amenities, and possible rental revenue, in order to choose the ideal property.