Investment property (not primary residence) It's the industry standard if you're not going to live there.

Our company started precisely the way you stated your idea came to you. 

its unfortunately not going to be as easy as googling, but that might get you a list to start with and refine.  

I’m starting off wanting to get into a primary residence that I plan to house hack and then figure out the next move into investment properties but that’s down the roadwith all that said, are there other ways that im not thinking of to 1.

. :-) I don’t have a coaching program I’m selling either.A little over a year ago, I started a thread about who was investing in their health.  

Finally, if you cannot find sold properties to compare within the timeframe or distance you can go out a bit to find properties to compare.This will get you started with finding values for residential 1-4. 

I'm from Long Island but now live and plan on investing in the Albany area.

It has become too expensive to invest in another rental at this point.

I think your starting point is off - way off. 

On the REIT side - When these investments go underwater, often the sponsor company will freeze or drastically reduce redemptions.