Hi Blake, sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders, number-sense, a good work/money mindset.
**Preface!**
I realize all that I'm about to suggest may be pretty deep, but think of it like Chess. Try to see all the deep, self-exploration work as being "strategic" high-level thinking about your over-all game plan to be in accordance with your personality/purpose. While most of the thoughts/ideas so far or that most family members/friends/lenders/Brikers/etc may give you could be seen as the "tactics."
So, My 2 cents:
Take this time to really Figure out your "Why."
Why do you want to be wealthy? Why do you want to be in REI? (Answer these to yourself, just be aware that Wealth isn't the sole goal. Wealth only gives you "more options to choose from." You have to know what it's all "for" -- and that's unique to everyone.
Then, I'd ask your "big picture" questions to narrow what category of REI might be right *for you* specifically:
1) Do you like your work(maybe you do!) and just want the long-term steady growth/returns for play/travel money, or for your retirement years? Do you want REI to be an active endeavor like AirBnB rentals, or more passive one using a property management company? Are you looking for short-term profits from a flip? Or even quicker, but "trickier" profits from wholesaling? Maybe you don't know the answers just yet, but you should have some idea...
2) Take your personality into account: take the DISC assessment if you haven't already in Psych 101 ;) It'll not only help you personally, but with your marriage, and even help you in negotiations, and sales, when you know what Letter you are, and can guess/figure out what Letter the other parties are.
3) Find this out first before you purchase a property to hack: Is your future fiancé really up for it? Maybe like the man (Sam something) on episode 210, you and your wife might embrace house-hacking. But maybe not...
4) Lastly, cuz emotions matter!! Ask yourself if the idea of "using the inheritance toward a good investment" is what you're after. If it is, then why not consider investing in yourself(!) and acquiring not property just yet, but more hands-on knowledge/skills? If you're saving what you say you are each month you'll pay off your debt soon enough. And that low probably won't hurt you with a lender (if it's really your only debt.)
If so, maybe you could take the 10k (which does NOT go far in REI directly) and "learn to fish." Network with investors here to meet in real life and shadow the best who are willing to teach, watch them evaluate deals, see how they "think." Maybe you can even find expert investors in your area and just shadow them on a regular basis. That way, you experience different avenues of REI and see what suits YOU best! Just because one path of REI returns 10% COC and another path of REI returns 20% COC doesn't mean the later is the right one for you...!
You could learn about controlling real estate from someone similar to Charles Parrish, or probates from Sharon _____ (can't come up with her name who blogs here about probates) or maybe Jim Banks, or some similar seasoned veteran who hosts/organizes mastermind groups, and learn ALL you can for that 10k!!!
Money will happen later when you start figuring out exactly who you are, what makes you unique/valuable to the world and serving others.
Bottom line: You're in the drivers seat and all the other REI persons in your life simply come along side and can only really assist you if/when you're CLEAR about your vision. (And that's any relationship: mentors, lenders, accountants, agents, attorneys, and so forth).
All the best, and I'll be following you to watch all you achieve :)
