Market might be competitive but there is angles to stand out depending on what you are comfortable and able to handle, such as waiving an appraisal contingency, limitng inspection rights and time frames, closing time frames, allowing seller to stay-post closing, taking on difficult tenants, buying properties that might need repairs, etc.

Good luck, you are a busy man with school, family and baseball.Likely your best bet is house hacking (if your partner and child are willing to share housing). 

Her caretaker has decided to take over the property and is now an active squatter on the residence and has become quite the problem child in the neighborhood.

Jaron Walling said something that caught my attention, "search for and buy a bad roof, leverage it during the negotiation"....especially of the property has been sitting on the market longer than normal for the current market, a "bad roof" might be a gift from the real estate genie.My point is this: get good at estimating and fixing a bad roof (or any particular problem found with most houses that sit on the market longer) and you'll get comfortable buying/fixing properties that scare off other buyers. 

What is your comfort level? 

Get out of your comfort zone.

I am most comfortable with long-term rentals, but I would like to try a flip or two to build my capital.

And try to master those taking as much time as you need to be comfortable with it.

@Mordechai ChaimovitzGreat points made above along with what @Daniel C. said referencing @Tom Shallcross's post on another thread.The context and variables for each individual investor will vary but many people are comfortable with getting a 2-4 unit that will reduce their out of pocket expense compared to their previous rent with the intent to do rehab and raise rents over time.

The key is understanding your comfort level with managing multiple units right out of the gate..