@Marty L.Hey Marty, I am a real estate agent in the San Gabriel Valley.

Hi Gabriel, Thanks for serving!!! 

In other words, please take a look at the "ingredients" below and help me figure out what different options might be cooked up: A husband, wife, and their 2 young children currently renting an apt. in SoCal want to:1. own, or co-own a duplex, triplex, or quadplex somewhere in the San Gabriel, San Fernando, or Santa Clarita Valley (and if not that, then they'd like to at least stay in LA County).

@Gabriel freeman yes please send me some pictures and info

Welcome to BP Gabriel and feel free to ask your questions here in the forums. 

I'm leaning towards buying a house to live in first and then rent later, but I don't know if the better market would be SW Houston or Los Angeles suburbs like San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Chino Hills, etc.

I'm also looking into out-of-state investment, particularly of the buy-and-hold cash flow sort.I'm also located in Pasadena, so I'm particularly interested in any San Fernando Valley / San Gabriel Valley / Eastside meetups.BTW: Welcome to Pasadena!

Gabriel P. - I use craigslist's housing section on its map feature to get an idea of going rental rates.

Gabriel,Find a small project then find an experienced capital partner to put up the capital.  

Welcome to BP @Gabriel Trieu I wish i started when I was as young as you.You are grossly underestimating the expenses.