You are now off the sidelines and working your way to financial freedom.

Otherwise, you'll be stuck making objections so you don't feel guilty sitting on the sidelines.

If I were to go the conventional route It would keep me on the sidelines for too long as I have to save up for a lot more.

You could just give up and sit on the sidelines like many investors, waiting for things to "cool off."

I think, currently anyway, that investors are shifting/protecting their wealth by buying in better-insulated cities like Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Austin, Dallas, Columbus, Indy, and anywhere else where there is job growth, population growth, property values are undervalued/affordable and they can find either cash flow or appreciation.So, to answer your question, I think the strategy is to continue to buy in these markets when the numbers make sense and not sit on the sidelines waiting.

I am currently saving, but I don't want to be on the sidelines ever again.

For example, if I analyze a deal and it’s cash flows on paper but in practice I end up paying $200 a month for whatever reason, that it’s better than waiting on the sidelines?

In the short term, investing with private/hard money lenders can help it grow at a faster clip than having it sit on the sidelines.

Rarely a cash out REFI but just closed 2 and have 1 more queued for a total of $250k cashed out on the sidelines for 2022 deals.- closed 9/28/21 (a week ago) Chattanooga area;  $45k cash 4/1.5, 1967, needs everything, elect, plumbing, sewer pipe, baths reconfiged baths to get 2 full baths, new kitchen,  Expected rehab <$50k, hoping to be at $40k. 

They stay on the sidelines working only as the financing part