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?

Of course, all channels can work.. from seller financing to foreclosures.. but from my 30+ years in real estate, I’ve found focusing on cash flow analysis tends to pay off more reliably.So here’s the big question that might help steer your next steps.. what do you think would make landlording less stressful for you.. a property manager, or maybe a smaller property until you get more comfortable?

Get out of your comfort zone.

There is no such absolute rule or mandate for REI - it is up to you on your comfort level with your cash flow versus total investment versus appreciation potential.If I followed that rule, I would have missed out on a LOT of great opportunities over the years.We bought a house in Jones Valley in 2017 with negative cash flow - why? 

It's very unique and I think would be attractive to guests looking for a comfortable get away in the mountains. 

When i was younger I used to help her with renovations on some of these properties.I asked her about 2 years ago why she never went multifamily and she said that she was afraid of stepping out of her comfort zone and wanted to stick with what she had known and done forever.

I'd recommend searching by zip and interviewing an agent or two to see who you're most comfortable with.

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.

Covering this with my salary is relatively comfortable.  

Like most service industries, there is nothing more important than the human touch as that is what people relate to and feel comfortable with.