@Ketch Bays I started with the exact same amount of money.

Make the start date of the lease contingent and effective upon closing. 

Regarding getting started, I recommend finding an STR owner who's overwhelmed or just worn out with managing their property, and perhaps who's also not using a dynamic pricing tool, and then offering to manage it for a very small cost. 

I will add that you definitely do not need to be near your investments, but it makes things a lot easier when you first start off. 

I am getting started in real estate investing soon, and I want to plan for the best course of action.

Have you considered other starting strategies like house hacking or live-in flips?

We’re hoping to start small and are looking at markets, such as Buffalo or Rochester, NY.

Ebooks, podcasts like @Bonnie Low suggested and start running numbers on every deal you see until you know how it all works.

Is $50k enough to get started?

. - Prices are too high- Prices are falling- Interest rates are too high- My Cousins, Mothers, Sister told me that Real Estate is too riskyThere’s never a “perfect” time, but everyone wishes that they started sooner.