It's good to hear that you want to play the long-term hold game as that is how you'll ultimately build equity.  

U can have zero experience and just need a few bucks and a  good credit score and you can buy a home to live in or a rental.. but not development deals.. different ball game

As someone in the game for more than 30 years, there are cities I have always been interested in, but have no interest in a one-off for myself so this is a great opportunity to get exposure in a market without any of the operational pain.4.

A prominent MLO in the northeast was recently charged and stripped of his license for playing this game with his borrowers.Also, everything is reviewed by underwriting.

Of course a lot of gaming.  

I'm fairly new to the real estate game and currently have 2 properties; 4 bed 2 1/2 bath renters have been in there going on their 5th year, and a new 3 bed 2 bath we're looking into using for a midterm.I work as a radiology manager for Methodist and been with them going on 10 years.

I am looking to get into the real estate game early and learn as much as possible, especially about house hacking and possibly short-term rentals.

You can utilize hard money for a BRRR or flip to get into the game. 

RE investing is a numbers game so the more properties/options you look at, the higher the likelihood you'll land a good deal in a shorter amount of time.Only 6% of Suffolk 2-4 family properties listed since '23 have been triplexes and quads. 

It's part of participation trophy society where people get socially rewarded for just being in the game, but that shouldn't apply to real estate.