I have bought commercial RE in a Roth SDIRA and separately purchased a couple investment properties via 1031 exchanges outside of my IRAs.I too have hesitation of the above index funds and need to investigate further.  

Those are more realistic table setters for you to begin your journey if you couple that with podcasts and in-person meetups so you can learn from real investors and their journeys.To invest, you will always need to be earning more money so you don't want to start your journey thinking you can do it with no money.

I have read that Texas usually prefers a warranty deed and looks down upon quitclaim but also that if something between family members that is just a removal it is okay.  

I’m also at a life stage, where I’d prefer to just live with my partner and not rent out individual rooms in my unit.When I move out, the rental income would sometimes just barely cover the mortgage and taxes (usually not even insurance).

The one time you don't salt the sidewalks coupled with a litigious tenant..... they're going to sue whether or not there's an LLC. 

I just wanted to take sometime and ask a couple of questions about getting started in the real estate space.

This method involves you identifying homes in your preferred areas and physically knocking on doors to express your interest in buying.

I would definitely prefer equity over getting a salary for the property management, but am just not sure how my work would equate in this situation.

Personally what I have found to be best for our business to build rapport is to get paid in installments for the first couple of flips we do for a new client.

Guess what, people still prefer unattached single family homes on their own fenced lot.