Next, you need to start tracking your expenses.

House hacking a 2-4 unit property with FHA (3.5% down) or Conventional (5% down) can be a smart way to start, while DSCR loans or partnerships can help if you need alternative financing.

As you start closing deals, you will need to reinvest your profits into mailing lists and other scalable activities to grow your business.

Why does PM start promoting the property only after existing tenant moved out and property fixed (small repairs)?

That is probably a good start to setting the goals you need to achieve to make the dream happen.

You will likely miss some deductions using the commercial tax software but it’s the cheaper option and starting out a couple hundred dollars in deductions missed likely isn’t that big of a deal.

Engage an investor-focused realtor/broker in your preferred market (this is not a residential realtor) and start 'tire kicking' the market and properties that fit your criteria.

As you're just starting out in Austin, focus on learning the local market, particularly areas with good rental demand and lower entry prices.

BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.

Over the course of using Bigger Pockets I have had very degrees of opinions on who I should vote for concerning a post.When I first started using Bigger Pockets, I was too naïve to even think of voting for someone that took the time to answer one of my post.