If you are Diligent,  and Disciplined you can do it, the no money down methods are quite risky and expensive, but are an outlet if others are not available to you.Words of wisdom, Very few contributors on here are experienced investors, most are new like you, but they have read all the books, and listened to all the pod casts, oh and they are experts, just ask them they will tell you.  

No need to pay for an "all-in-one" product, which still requires ongoing discipline anyway.

I came to join BP after meeting a real estate investor who shared his own real estate journey with me and I was intrigued how rewarding it could be to a disciplined investor.I am currently looking to move to San Diego, CA for a year in order to fulfill the occupancy requirements for a 4 Unit Multiplex.I am seeking to discuss: purchasing, short term vacation rentals, renovations, upgrades, out of state property management, market analysis.I look forward to meeting everyone and appreciate everyone who responds!

He needs to get his life in order first and develop some self discipline before he undertakes this.

That "cash is king" person could be generally be the most reliable tenant with a scary good discipline. 

As a Chem E, you're in a career field with one of the highest starting salaries of all majors, which when paired with some disciplined savings should put you in a great position to build wealth and a large passive income stream.  

@Bevin Morgan There is little downside to getting a HELOC for someone who is disciplined with money. 

It's a great way to be independent and comfortable as long as DISCIPLINE is a major part of your life.  

Then, when things get tough, they walk away and go back to delivering pizza or whatever it is they were doing before.If you can't demonstrate financial discipline and hustle, sacrifice, and save to invest, then you probably won't do perform very well with your investment, either.

This does not only develop you the field you are working in.It develops your entire attitude, your mind, your discipline and you train your mind to be able to handle many things at once.The worst thing you can do is  have tunnel experience.