It seems like you are looking for buy and holds, but do you want to do those locally or are you open to doing long distance rentals?

I tend to lever properties up to buy more, but since rates have outpaced rents, it's been more difficult to do so successfully. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

The answers are invariably yes for new investors, and usually for seasoned investors too—the reason being that you need to know what you are getting into.There is a second equally important reason, though, especially when buying from homeowners or investors: You can usually get a credit or additional work done based on the results of the inspection report.

If you had $100,000 to spend on properties, you could buy 1 property for $100,000, or you could borrow and put 25% down on 4 - $100,000 properties.  

In Cleveland, OH you can buy properties that go way over the 1% rule and generate cash flow day 1. 

I also used a HELOC on my current house hack to buy.

So far, this has worked well for us, allowing us opportunities to buy cash flowing properties with appreciation potential

I have been buying in the north west metro (Delano) We have very similar hobbies and even day job, I work in Hvac. would love to  help anyway I can as you are starting out!

Get your buy box down, remove all war zones from consideration, I personally look for 2-4 units for fixed rate debt.