You don't want to lose your rate on the house you are living in now unless you want to sell it so since that is an owner-occupied, you need to stay there and save up the 20 percent for the second property based on what you said.

You’ll need to handle inspections, work with housing authorities, and make sure your tenant screening process is solid.

Besides ALE Solutions I did Express Corporate Housing and will be signing up for Furnished Finder.

I'd second house hacking.

If you're willing and able, I do recommend the "house hacking" strategy which is just a fancy name for buying a rental property and living in one of the units, because you'll get very favorable financing - an owner-occupied fixed-rate 30-year mortgage.I'd also say, analyze that property as if you won't live there and it's a pure rental, and make sure the property is still cash flow positive if there's a tenant in your unit because then you'll know if it's actually a good investment.And when you analyze it, include payment of a property manager in your #s because if you don't, and doing so would make it go cash flow negative, then you've just bought yourself a job because you literally can't step away from managing it without losing money.

I appreciate the encouragement—I'm excited to learn from and connect with investors in this community.Right now, I’m primarily focused on house hacking in the LA market, but I’m open to exploring out-of-state opportunities later in my career.

@Phillip Austin someone who obviously should not rent but buy themselves a brand new house. what was their previous place?  

Sounds like the house is not local to you, OP.

I found a house that I like to purchase in a great neighborhood and the exterior looks great for a 1922 stick built house.

Section 8, nice housing!