I am in need of a lot of guidance or even potential partnerships to turn this dream into a reality.

We also own properties (23) and it could not be a better job to go hand in hand with investing.

I love Software Development but working for a job that controls my time and money was something I did not want to do in the long run.

I am also looking to buy in the midlands because it is less pricey than the south of England (where I live now) and I dream to buy my first house hacking property hopefully in my very early 20s.

Good job @Dustin Gale for your first income property in cottonwood its a good area. 

I currently work 2 jobs and was thinking of spending this next year building up a plan that I could then put into action next summer.

All good, he got the job and started on May, 10, 2018.To make a long story short.

If the latter, then good job.

I'm a former builder who got rocked pretty good in 2008 then took a job out of state and just recently moved back to the gulf coast.  

Join in my humble opinion I think it depends on the area and the access to jobs in a downturn.