If you’re just getting started, one of the best entry points I’d recommend is a house hack using an FHA loan.

Use the short term CD's to pay your taxes when they come due.

If you’re living in one of the units, that $200–$300 is just icing — your real “profit” is the fact that your tenants are paying most (if not all) of your mortgage while you’re building equity.A few thoughts based on what you and the others mentioned:Don’t get too hung up on huge cash flow for your first one — as @Remington Lyman said, most people just break even or slightly cash flow on their first house hack.

Anything less than A+++ location--just say "Next!"

You are normally bidding against the bank, who will bid it up to their mortgage amount and then stop.

On the other side of the spectrum, I've had clients who insisted on saving $10k on furniture up front and, what do you know, they waded through the middle of the pack on Airbnb for years. 

Quote from @David Webb: #Sacramento is shifting into a more deliberate market — prices ticking up, buyers cooling.

You want an accountant who can help you strategize and who is responsive when you want to know the consequences of the financial decisions you are making throughout the year.Good luck.

RE brokers Licensed Attornies LIcensed and mortgage NMLS licensed MLO / bankers. not the fee companies that come from out of state and really can mess folks up with poor advice all to just collect their up front fee.. ran into many of those folks /  Most out of FLA. 

@Elealeh Fulmaran Thank you Elealeh for the warm welcome.