My wife and I both work and earn apprx $160k gross HOWEVER, our credit is less than stellar.   

Storage units and multifamily properties are two of the most common types of commercial real estate, and both offer the opportunity for investors to earn returns that are significantly higher than those from single family homes.

Someone like you should be at 100 doors in 3 years tops and that 3.5 should be earning over 10% return through SFR.  

It will be the easiest money you earned as you will really not be doing much LOL. 

I expect at least a 20% decrease from the peak back in June/July 2022.

But far less work than it took to earn the money you will be investing with people you barely know.

After five years you'll have earned $90,000 in rent income and gained $34,000 in appreciation.Buy four houses with $50,000 down on each.

Think of it as a savings account that earns 4-6% interest.

One potential disadvantage - you are converting items that are normally exempt from self-employment taxes to potentially being subject to the requirement of wages / self-employment taxes.One potential advantage - potentially being able to have earned income eligible for retirement account contributions.

Technically I've earned no return on my $30k, but have paid back the bank their $70k.