As I see it, the only ways that real estate pays you well in the first 3-5 years is low to no leverage or a strategy that requires more work (short term rental, mid term rental, rent by the room, etc.).  

A low maintenance condo rentable to good tenants sounds like a good starting point to me.I’m 56 and reasonably setup for retirement, so real estate is a stabilizing diversifier for me.

I've been reading more about subject to and here's what I've learned:-Good for sellers who are off market-Have low to no equity-Have a mortgage with a low interest rate (less than 5%)-Be absentee or out of state (vacant property, or have a tenant)The buyer would then take over the mortgage payments, and have the seller sign the deed over to the buyer.

I would connect with other investors and go to a few free/low-cost meetups to start and learn from them the strategy and how they learned to do what they did.

House hacking is good because you can get a low down payment mortgage (around 3-5%).

So if you discount a small amount to get rolling, that is something that can work, but don't want to stay low for long.You will start to get the dregs staying at your place and they can do some real damage to the place.

As inflation drives rent growth, properties in stable markets like the Midwest can continue to deliver returns even in higher-rate environments.Market Conditions Favor Real Estate RecoveryThe commercial real estate (CRE) market has faced significant challenges in recent years, but signs point to a recovery:Bottom of the Market Cycle: CRE appears to have reached its low point in late 2024, with 2025 marking the start of a slow recovery phase.Limited New Supply: High interest rates have curtailed new construction, which should drive rent growth in the coming years.Policy Changes on the Horizon: There is growing discussion about potential policy shifts under the new administration, including a return of 100% bonus depreciation and lower interest rates.

Too many low income apartment buildings near by / vacant buildings. 

We look for good school systems, low crime and desirable neighborhoods.

Quote from @Devin James: When running numbers on an investment property, I focus more on equity growth than monthly cash flow.Here’s why:If I can acquire a property at a low basis and add significant value, I can: 1) Sell and reinvest elsewhere 2) Cash-out refinance to recapture my investment.