I can run and model numbers and am a CPA so comfortable with the finance side of things.

Covering this with my salary is relatively comfortable.  

The answer would be partially dependent on what are you looking to get out of it for rent and what type of risks are you comfortable with?

My ultimate goal is to acquire enough real estate to achieve financial freedom, allowing me to travel, provide a comfortable life for my family, and teach my children about discipline, financial literacy, and the wealth-building potential of real estate.I’m here to learn, share, and connect with others who share this passion.

In my experience, allowing these professionals to guide you can be highly beneficial, as they are likely to recommend properties they would be comfortable managing.

If you're comfortable living where you are, equity in your current property or your savings rate would be the two other ways to get your next one which is going to be much slower.

The lessons you learned the hard way in 2008 will be invaluable now, and it’s great that you’re aiming to stay small-scale and within your comfort zone of Sacramento, which gives you an advantage of knowledge in that market.Given your experience, I'd say start by focusing on three key areas to build confidence and minimize risks:Budget Control: Over-renovating was one of the big mistakes you mentioned.

Hey @Jonathan Baptiste, so we are a bit different than some.We have a large house that can sleep 12 comfortably and we provide a lot of stuff.

When advised to claim from Renters insurance, Tenant wants my Landlord insurance policy number and claim number, which I am not comfortable giving.

Depending on comfort and cash, it might be a viable option as you can build equity and then sell without having capital gains, assuming it's your primary residence and you've lived there for 2 years.