I’d rather take my 100k and decent credit score and take the plunge then gain from experience and take a loss any day, every day!

I’m new to real estate investing and have made a goal to earn enough passive income to allow my wife to stay at home with me (if she so desires).

Gabe Hall understand that not a lot of passive investors on here.

Sitting down with a lender and gaining information will help you both and the lender can coach you.Plus if you not looking to buy until next year there maybe grants or down payment assistance programs you can get ready for so when you do buy you have them in your back pocket to assist you getting you that investment

I would like to generate enough passive income to cover my living expenses and choose how I spend my time.

Appreciation added another $100K in taxable gain equity. 

The only upside would be the experience gained from working as an agent prior to investing.

I’m currently trying to gather information in effort to gain my first rental property.

When I choose to take a more passive route I will likely combine the two, true MF in traditionally high appreciation markets.if you go the San Diego route there are additional options due to being local like house hacking, active sweat equity properties, self managed (provides a learning opportunity but is work), etc.Good luck

Finding great people to network with and hopefully gain real-world experience.