I picked up the properties for a heavily discounted price (because they had sat on the market), and had no problems finding highly qualified (and high-earning) tenants that made the place cashflow right out of the gate.Another example: I once bought a property in an A class neighborhood that had an awkwardly-placed stairwell inside the front entrance, which turned off other buyers.

You can get a second job working part-time and earn another $20,000+ this year. 

Just connect with someone doing deals vs reading books, learn, earn then go on your own, 

But - is there an opportunity in this market (as a real estate broker) to lead with seller financing and target sellers (say 70, 75, 80 YO) and specifically market thier properties to qualified buyers....seems like there could be many benefits to the sellers and IF they are open to being on a fixed income, not much of a downside since they are protected and earning interest on their $$ (many landlords I know are more comfortable with bricks and mortar than ()stocks/bonds/equities)  anyways.

The list goes on and on.You also might want to consider investing in a Private Lending Fund where you can earn 9-12% on your investment without all of the responsibilities of a lender.

After five years you'll have earned $120,000 in rent income and gained $136,000 in appreciation.

@Grant Smith This is where the title company earn their keep in the transaction by making sure that all the liens are paid off and you get a clear, unencumbered title at closing (unless you have a mortgage on it, in which case the title will be voluntarily encumbered) 

We are in Cali, both earn decent W2 and just started out investing in 2021.

Very good takes here on this thread @Matthew Kwan @Carlos ValenciaI think whether you're looking to approach real estate as an investor (owner operator) or as a business or active cashflow (operating business like flipping/fix/turn keys/wholesaling/RE agent/broker/lender/etc) it will vary some of the replies here are from people operating businesses and some are from BRRR/House hack investors who are starting out.Somewhere in between will lie your fine balance between both.For myself i've generated earnings and income through lending and have reinvested them into real estate in a market with rental income and value upside by buying lower than "as is," or intrinsic value when I can and improving that value through upgrades, rental raises, and added services.

I have my primary where we have lived for 20 years and could sell it and get the tax free earnings from the appreciation because it is my primary (no need for a 1031 exchange on the sale of a primary as I understand it).