Due to the nature of my career (I'm an economist with a tenure track job), I have fairly idle summers.

But I gotta agree with @Christian Allen....if you have an opportunity to house hack with an FHA loan at 3.5% down....it's probably worth the effort at this point in your career.

If you aren't willing to make the hard decisions now at the beginning of your real estate investment and career, then you're sure going be leaving a hell of a lot of money on the table during that time!

I think I have enough career stability that I could always find decent -paying work if I lost my job for some unforeseen reason, and of course my husband can always work more.

If anyone has any advice for someone 4 months into their investing career please share below!

If you get your license for a career in real estate that's fine, but it is very difficult to get started as an agent, you will probably make very little or even lose money your first year, and if you're also paying for college that could put you behind the eightball.

I'm currently reading "The Book on Rental Property Investing" and have a goal to start my investing career by purchasing a small multifamily to house hack by the end of 2019.Any advice on either topic is greatly appreciated!

It depends on a lot of factors:If you are enlisting in the military, your salary will be quite low for the first few years as an E-1, E-2 , E-3  - which can make buying a home or investment property somewhat difficult.Depending on which branch of the military, and which career path you intend to pursue, you may only be at your duty stations for a few months to a couple of years, especially early on when you are vying to get into training for your occupational specialty. 

Hello,Since I live in a more expensive market, for doing lease options I would imagine I would need to target professionals such as doctors, lawyers, small business owners, management people, who either have issues with credit or are just getting started in their respective careers and little credit history.

If I started my real estate investment career over I would do it early and often.