Hi Trevor, my suggestion is to use that liquid cash you have available as leverage towards securing private money loan to purchase your first buy and hold in preferred area.

Is there a preferred method?  

FHA or VA into any property skews ROI very quickly.As far as the ROI on time goes is going to be a variable greatly dependent on personal preference, liquidity, ability to obtain financing and personal skills. e.g. if you hate dealing with tenants, have a shot credit score, don't have a lot of spare time ect.The next steps are also important, what you plan on doing in the future.If I had to blanket statement your response, I'd say go 20% down on something commercial (solid building) and get a property manager.

The mortgage is in my name also, so prefer to minimize risk of due on sale clause being triggered, too.  

With that being said, I currently hold a full time job in Van Nuys, CA which helps us to stay afloat and am hoping that I could contribute on my free time to an organization preferably in Santa Clarita Valley. 

Hello everyone,I currently own one rental, a primary residence and looking to buy a third property (preferably a duplex).

It is always preferable to speak directly to the Seller but when the seller has an agent your hands are tied.

I go by Naomi, my birth name is spelled Noemi but I prefer Naomi.  

I'm full of book knowledge, podcasts, articles, blogs, forums and meetings with team members, but I'm the type that prefers OJT. 

A lot of desperate people looking for ridiculously cheap rent or "work for rent for situations" (as if that last one even exists).But, amongst the fodder, you will also find legitimate potential tenants who just prefer for landlords to find them.