My main goal is to just get some skin in the game by the end of 2022 and purchase my first property.

But it seems like to me you have it backwards…it is usually the buyer who puts up the down payment… that is your “skin in the game”.  

The reason most rental property investors are not successful and end up out of the investing game is because they work with property managers who only sign month-to-month or one-year leases and investor incurs this cost every year or so.  

@Justin Megna this may sound broad, but study every factor/variable that may have an effect on your investment strategy and specific target market.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated as I am new to the Realestate game.

I know it's a broad question, but this group is so helpful! 

I have $30,000 saved up besides what I have in my other assets to get my head in the game of RE investing, should I even have to put that money down at all?

I can tell you financing for a condotel is a whole different ball game and dealing with the HOA can sometimes be a challenge.

We've done very well in most--military brings a strength and diversity to Colorado Springs, Arlington, and San Antonio but definitely are not the only game in town. 

If you invest in a privately-held and self-managed residential portfolio of C-class single-family and small multifamily, and you believe you're going to make your money off cash-flow, that is, relentlessly maximizing your take from your tenants, you're already losing sight of what's important in the game.