my goal is always to have passive income from rental properties but right now I’m thinking more of being able to pocket cash and later make plans on rentals.

Then you can read a more in-depth book like The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner or The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss.2.

Should I look to dive into a rental property or just wait to buy one after we get our primary?

You’re asking the right question…I’m active duty Air Force with three rental properties, and I have three VA loans.Sometimes purchasing a home that’s close to turnkey may work if the numbers do. 

Andit's easy to see why: selling a 500k home to a family requires much less skill than than buying a good flip or rental property - for much less money and commission. 

RoofstockRoofstock allows you to browse a wide range of rental properties for free, providing a valuable resource for finding turnkey investments.

This new form allows us to order a 1007 rent schedule with SHORT TERM RENTAL COMPS.

Now, we do live in a small town, touristy area that does lack in nicer/unique short-term rentals. 

I have a Meetup Group that goes over all of what you are asking.To get to the point for you, you need to buy out of state if you want to grow wealth with rentals. 

They claim to have owned four rental properties and a large house which they sold before coming here.