It's going to be tough to buy a property without steady W2 income.  8k is a good start, but you might need to keep saving.  

The January 2025 report from the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) shows stable housing prices and balanced market conditions in the Austin metro as we start the new year.

Once youve got a few months of experience and everything is stable, start looking for the next one.

I would say that is not a great way to start.

Deals and partnerships started flowing in when we focused on providing value first rather than chasing transactions.What’s been the biggest shift in your approach since getting clear on your long-term goals?

Quote from @Jade Frank: Hi, I'm Jade and I'm looking to get started with real estate investing.

Why does PM start promoting the property only after existing tenant moved out and property fixed (small repairs)?

House hacking a 2-4 unit property with FHA (3.5% down) or Conventional (5% down) can be a smart way to start, while DSCR loans or partnerships can help if you need alternative financing.

What would be your advice in choosing a neighborhood or area to start farming to gain leads?

Since you're open to markets beyond NYC, you might want to connect with local investor meetups or REI groups in those areas to build relationships with agents, wholesalers, and lenders who understand the nuances of each market.If you're looking to break out of analysis paralysis, maybe start by narrowing down one or two target markets and running numbers on actual deals.