REI is all about taking risks, and since you only have enough capital to try out one strategy right now (perfectly normal for someone starting out - no, you're not behind the curve) then I would start with your safest bet that is going to make you more profitable in the long run, either with knowledge or cash flow... ideally both!

I wouldn’t rent to individuals who don’t make at least 3x rent (and ideally they’d make more than that as that’s just a floor), I also wouldn’t accept a co-signer who doesn’t make at least 5x rent because they have their own bills and expenses, even if their credit scores check out I’d be concerned about them bringing in enough on a monthly basis to ensure that I was always getting paid, I’d honestly rather my unit be vacant than to rent to unqualified tenants ESPECIALLY in New York where eviction is a nightmare and the state doesn’t care about landlords in the least

There are lots of videos about VA loans, their benefits and their limitations.

Invest it into a syndication fund.Alternatively I could wait until I can purchase another home next year and use it towards that, but ideally I'd like to invest it this year for tax purposes.

Residential is ideal but I wasn’t sure if I because there are 6 beds.

It appears to me that the occupants might just ride this out to the very end to get free accommodation which is not ideal at all.

Agreed, it's not ideal for your tenant though.

You'll never "pay off" the property because you'll keep buying more multifamily, but you will build your savings for purchasing power really quickly.Look up velocity banking if you want videos or more articles on how this works.

I don’t find the app helpful and I’m not finding it easy to access videos or other info.

It starts by defining the criteria of an ideal tenant for each investment property.