I drop them and use a competent local RE agent, who did a great job.   

In my day job I do SEO for a digital marketing agency and I am more than happy to talk SEO with anyone who has questions.I'm interested in Long-term rentals, though admittedly, finding deals below market value and funding those deals (not to mention I honestly have no idea have to put the deals under contract in the first place), are problem the first things I'll need to learn.

Analyze the area's economy, job growth, schools, and transportation, as these factors attract renters.

She also mentioned that they’ve been in real estate since 2006 and have managed over 30 properties (though this is more of a side business for them), which suggests a mom-and-pop operation.

Aim to increase your Operating Income by acquiring 3-4 units for the next purchase.

Another factor is we both work full time jobs so it’s difficult for us to scale as quickly as we would like to but if we can take these early profits that would change things. 

In Houston, you can either invest locally or explore strong Texas markets like San Antonio (affordable duplexes, strong job market), DFW suburbs (duplex-friendly zoning, growing economy), or Houston suburbs (Spring, Cypress, The Woodlands for good schools and tenant demand).

All I can say is that when an investor is the person who's doing the job that a real estate broker is commissioned to do, per state law, that's brokering without a license, which is no bueno and shouldn't be allowed. 

I like markets with diverse job drivers, and it is always helpful to have major corporations locally. 

The macroeconomics are on fire here - population growth, job growth, and companies moving and developing here.