Start by leveraging your skills to identify undervalued properties, perform cost-efficient renovations, and build sweat equity.

BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.

Quote from @Jake Gasperi: For people just starting out to people that have been investing for years..

If they start loosing interest in being a landlord, rents start to slip.Real estate is an inefficient, messy market.

When you start, the company may give you a small existing portfolio, but then you'll have to maintain & grow it to make a decent living.You could also work as a leasing agent at an apartment complex.

Has good job at a local factory & recently started school to become a welder. 

@Paloma Wodehouse congratulations on starting your investment journey!

HELOC for down payment is a good idea, if you can't fund the entire purchase price + rehab amount with the HELOC a combo of HELOC + hard money is a great way to get started.

Start by leveraging what you already have—consider tapping into equity through a HELOC, house hacking again with an FHA loan, or increasing cash flow by converting a unit to a short-term rental.

I would personally use some of that equity and get started with your first property.