Sometimes it seems easiest to just let it go and move on, but at times you need to be firm.

Any recommendations on local real estate agents/firms that could help with my search?

I have found exactly what @Dmitriy Fomichenko says to be true (he is also my plan provider and I highly recommend his firm). 

He is a partner in a CPA firm (Hodgson & Nash, CPAs, PLLC) in DFW that just works with real estate clients.

Well-to-do families who might have bought a single-family home in another era are willing to rent a house now, especially if it means access to a good school system.The number of homes purchased by major investors in 2017 was at least 29,000, up 60% from the previous year, estimates Amherst Capital Management LLC, a real-estate investment firm that made nearly 5,000 of those purchases.

The point of the law is to improve certain areas of the country by bringing in new structures and upgrades.I will be doing more research and talking to additional real estate specialists at our firm for more guidance.

I don't want to become a FT realtor for a few reasons (a) I'm not a 60-70+ hour work week type and (b) it becomes tougher from the traditional lending perspective when my wife already has her own business - I need to be the cheaper insurance provider on top of it.I'm curious about asset management jobs or other types of similar roles at REI firms where I can learn more in-depth about the industry - and I'd appreciate if anyone had advice about what firms would be worth connecting with and what jobs would make the most sense given my background.

There are firms that would manage this for you. 

Roger Steciak I came across a story a yr or so ago where an investor walked into a PE firm (ya know- the people who actually have the money!)

I look forward to making connections and if you have deals, or want to hunt deals for my firm, I'd love to hear from you.