In setting up the platform I have connected with someone local in the area and that will be my 1st point of contact and I could share his info for you to reach out.

Would like to be more hands off as well.

Remember you will also need help with set up, hosting and cleaners. 

This happens all the time, usually with heirs, but it can be squatters as well.

Beyond trying to connect on this forum would recommend look in the BP Meet up section and checking out local DFW FB RE investor Facebook groups as well as Meetup.com and Eventbrite for local events. 

My tough today is different than my tough next week.Many new(er) investors struggle to manage their rentals well.

It's much more fully integrated, which works well for guests and hosts. 

Buying a portfolio might lead you to making decisions you don't have the experience and foresight to make well.

As for your ques if to wait, well, it depends on the market, in some parts of the country prices are still going up, slower, but still going up, other parts the prices are coming down, you know that area, what is happening there? 

As far as meetups go, you can find a lot of local events posted here on BiggerPockets: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...I also have a list of Chicago meetups that I can share with you as well.