Most people are happy just to not take a loss each month. 

. - That's how people feel heard and important.2.

Do people have experience doing so and have they been successful?

You need to connect with people, form trust relationships, learn from others in your area and you'll be surprised how opportunities open up. 

The only people that win with turnkey investments are the turnkey companies.

BP has built a great selection, all of them worth reading and that will help you build foundational knowledge.To answer this one: the words from old school investor Dolf De Roos "seldom sell" and you will find a lot of post on BP from people who regret selling properties in the past.

Some people seem to get locked in to one place they find, or a place a friend or family member is selling without really evaluating the available market.In a small town in East Texas I would think your biggest risk is a big player coming to town that can absolutely crush a smaller player. 

To network and connect people that can add value to each other.I'm am glad you are taking the right steps and I can't wait to see how you grow your portfolio from here.

What other people get is immaterial to your decision.

"Fall in love with people, not with houses".Did your agent do a "cash out analysis" to show how much winds up in your pocket after the sale expenses?