After that's under control, focus on increasing income through additional work at your current job, taking on a side hustle, or finding ways to increase income on your existing rental.At the same time, educate yourself.

I have family in Houston, Dallas, and the Valley, I was networking with brokers in San Antonio, but the Taxes seem to be quite high as well in that State, although much favorable laws/regs on the landlord side.

Just understand that there are two sides to these transactions.

Flip side, for a third of that you are trained to find properties using creative finance taking over existing low interest loans that cash flow and you are buying in decent neighborhoods with every day lunch box Joes that have kids and go to work and pay rent on time. 

Have to own both sides!

After 25 years of co-living have now graduated to one side of a duplex.

Curious though if you have other paras or intend to bring on more folks on the legal side since most the others are ops and CPAs? 

Would it be easier to do a career change outside of real estate and then be a part time agent on the side?

Self-Employment Opportunities: Would it make sense to start a side business related to my rental properties (such as property management) to access more deductions?

You can certainly negotiate some closing costs from the seller on the buy side.