@Juliann Morala if you're going to rent it out, start with a PMC! 

This includes critical programs such as: Social Security & Medicare, Medicaid & SNAP (food assistance), Pell Grants & Head Start, and Rental Assistance Programs". 

Much easier to when you start with people who understand the question.One way a friend does this (not USA based) is to set up joint ventures.

@Andy Ptak when jumping into the industry you have a few choices:1) Start at the bottom2) Leverage your experience to convince someone to give you a chance3) Decide between:--- Big companies who will usually start you at the bottom--- Small companies that will more like to a chance on hiring you for an above entry level position.

Not sure if there's a lesson to be had there, but that's how I found it.I'll say though that once you know what you're looking for and create an industry specific network, you start to find them with some frequency.

Then, in April last year, my husband and I started a business, and I temporarily put both of those on hold while taking care of my dad.

Then once I find a property that I like to buy I'll start looking at the comps in the area that have been rented and are currently on the market to be rented and make sure that my mortgage payment will at least break even with the rental comps.I'm using rough estimates on Zillow and websites alike.

How was that process starting for zero?

From there you can start to identify what you are looking for.Where do you land on the follow spectrums:Cash flow and AppreciationLong term or Short term needs (waiting for growth vs get out of my W2 now)Long term rentals, Mid term rentals, Short term rentalsBuying close to home or coast to coastSelf manage or hire a PMIf you can narrow in on those, you essentially have your buy box. 

There is a lot of research to be done to make sure it is feasible before you start the project.