I am a recent veteran who is currently a software engineer and would like to acquire my first rental property within the next 3 - 6 months.

It sounds like you may only have a small amount of experience with this.

I've even talked to hard money lenders to see their down payment requirements and such but I just feel.....like this is impossible.

Its a dip no question but like the GFC nope not in my mind

I personally don't like the idea of investing in real estate using an SDIRA.

I'm not risk-averse either, but I still think that's a bit extreme—too much volatility, not enough control.I really like your allocation strategy.

I’m passionate about helping both end buyers and investors find great opportunities, whether it’s a perfect home or a smart addition to their portfolio.I’m always looking to connect with like-minded investors who share the vision of building wealth through real estate.

You'd need 160k toward the purchase and likely 175k or more to close. 

Here are a few real-world examples of what happens when you skip the homework: Zoning Surprises:One parcel looked like a perfect spot for a single-family build flat, road frontage, good comps.

You’ll have deals that feel like a sure thing… until they’re not.