Your best bet is probably to get your real estate license and start actively being a real estate professional or buy a STR in your market that you can physically be at on a regular basis. 

Here's the bet: - "Unemployment" is not about to shoot up.

But I wouldn't be surprised to see us settle in the low 6.00% range.I have some aggressive bets in stocks and long duration bonds that will benefit if/when that happens.

Your best bet are still the Townships - they have the best schools in the county with the least restrictions. 

Quote from @Brett Jurgens: @Jay HurstThanks for responding3.75%, 30yr fixedLike others have said, with that interest rate your best bet is probably to do a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to put towards an investment that you can quickly recoup your initial investment on.

Condos are a better bet since they usually give you more freedom to rent and are easier to sell.

You bet I did.

Even at $60,000 a unit - that is a $1.2 million deal... and realistically I bet they will be over $100,000 each... all just a guess... but when you get into these price points and you are "new to real estate" as your title in your post suggests - I think you are probably getting in over your head for a first deal.  

That’s the best bet.

Because of the balance sheet is off you can certainly bet that something is wrong with the profit loss statement.