I've realized that I'm not looking to start another full-time career.

You can also just do a self-directed IRA and start making your money work better for what you are doing. 

Yes it's a little onerous to get started, but the guests or a better class than my Airbnb guests for the most part. 

I started researching and then bought in 2021-2022 then paused to stabilize and get a better lay of the land.

Is it required for me to get any license/ certificate before I start renting.

In your opinion what do you think is the best property to start with?

I have saved up some money but my goal is to save up at least 20k in a year before I start looking for options on house hacking in a duplex.

I both personally invest in real estate and help others gets started/expand their portfolios in various Midwest/midsouth markets.What I do with my kids: My wife and I have 2 of our rentals that are on the same street, with a home in between them.

So, again, an opportunity to take on less risk initially to get the learning curve out of the way.Bottom line - your approach doesn't have to start out one or the other. 

@Peter Vercellin Congrats on getting started.