I would even reach out to some owners you may have worked with in the past and share how you're looking to buy your first rental and if they have any sound advice. 

I have the land listed and hope to sell it for $35,000.

There is also the local knowledge of a market like here in Lake Tahoe where lending can be trickier so an offer with a local lender might get chosen because they have a reputation to get a deal done vs a national lender that can have more red tape and a slower process. 

You have come to the right place to learn and connect with others.

Do you have an attorney helping you?

Real estate is a marathon, not a sprint, and having a big-picture perspective allows investors to grow wealth steadily while navigating market shifts with confidence.Besta regards,Drago

My wife, Shelbie, and I have been researching about REI for the past 1 year.

Some websites specialize in off-market real estate sales, whereas others, like Zillow, have listings for “for sale by owner” (FSBO) sales.

Short-term rentals would be a solution, but due to strict short-term rental laws in rent-controlled areas of Los Angeles, options like Airbnb are typically not feasible.At present, I have a $5 million property in Encino with two units that we cannot rent out short-term due to rent control regulations, and the numbers don’t work for a long-term rental either.

I have joined several REI Mentorships including WREIN (Women's Real Estate Investment Network) in Dallas, TX and and Vertical Street ventures in Phoenix, Arizona (Syndications) .