@Vhernadette SasingI would look into finding an excellent operator and invest with them passively.

I'm aware of your investing initiatives as we are part of the MTR investor group that meets every Friday, which is excellently run by you.

Excellent, thanks so much Jaycee! 

EXCELLENT response to the question. 

(Only if you are SERIOUS about real estate as your wealth/career vehicle.)Make sure you join a brokerage that is large, established, and has a reputation for top performance and excellent training.Once you learn the basics and get out into the field to see the state of the market, you'll learn the price points and be able to know a good/great deal when you stumble across it.I have made some of my best (most lucrative) buys from meeting with a seller who wants to list, and when we discussed the price, I knew it fit my parameters, so I bought it! 

You can find excellent resources on YouTube, BiggerPockets, and through local REI meetups.

fyi, one of my children (also in Indiana) had a very good experience with a VA loan through Veterans United.If you can find a tenant who wants to be rural and have space but doesn't have a down payment or for some other reason doesn't want to buy or can't buy, that person could be an excellent fit for your situation. 

Given your experience managing 138 doors, you already have a significant advantage in understanding tenant needs, property maintenance, and financial planning.Key tips:Focus on personal finances: Keep building excellent credit and maintaining healthy reserves.Financing: Explore loan options like conventional, or DSCR loans to maximize your purchasing power.Location: Research neighborhoods with strong Section 8 demand and landlord-friendly regulations.Due diligence: Analyze properties carefully, factoring in rehab costs, property management, and cash flow potential.Your expertise and willingness to learn put you in a strong position—best of luck!

Excellent introduction to the topic.

Some Excel files that my 15yo daughter could have done a better job putting together and when we ask questions we are given the shuffle around, no one … and I mean NO ONE will give us a straight answer … I feel like we have just been sucked into the 2020's version of a new age cult!