My advice: focus on building a strong financial foundation first save consistently, manage your credit, and educate yourself on real estate fundamentals.

People just need to understand fundamentals that underpin any type of investment.

You could also look into DSTs for 1031 eligible fractional passive ownership of institutional properties. 

Almost all of our rentals are above the HUD FMR and therefore are no Section 8 eligible.

I buy and sell 100+ properties per year in Cleveland, Ohio and fundamentally the deals are found through cold calling. 

Some just thought anyone could do it and or used properties were eligible..

.--- Tactic 2: Focus on Fundamentals: Zell emphasized cash flow and property performance over speculation.--- Tactic 3: Diversification: He invested across various real estate sectors, reducing risk.2.

@Shaun, many people looking to self direct their retirement who already own rentals actually establish a PM business (usually sole prop for simplicity) to become eligible for a Solo 401k. 

Unfortunately, this leads investors to view return of capital as the most critical deal metric and deals that may have better fundamentals which are indicative of long term success are dismissed because 100% return of capital cannot be achieved. 

Learn the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing, etc.