And then there’s the real estate which you could purchase or lease to save in cash. 

My question is, does this sound like a good plan to start off our real estate investment journey with as little debt as possible?

I currently live in and operate 1 STR in the area and as a real estate agent I've helped people buy lots of STR properties from Perdido Key to Panama City Beach.1) The STR market here is congested and there is a lot of competition. 

@Susie Lowe it is difficult to find real opportunities unless you have boots on the ground or a close relationship with a commercial broker or wholesaler.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

This allows DSCR loans to be more adaptable to the market as real estate investing strategies change, including the BRRRR method.

I’ve been using them for years to manage my portfolio and haven’t had any real issues.

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

Columbus is also home to OSU, which constantly develops real estate, employs lots of jobs, and attracts students from the US and internationally to attend. 

I wish you the best in your real estate adventure!