For instance, said property manager manages maintenance issues, problems that arise during bookings, basically anything that needs a physical person at the property, while I manage the rest?

I was thinking if I can talk to my neighbor about sharing the cost (I, the landlord, personally provide labor and my neighbor provide material (e.g. fence pickets)).

You could give them a thousand bad reviews, if they are the only person in town offering a specific type of product, people will still do business with them.

It’s important to recognize that your landlord likely isn’t thinking about selling the property right now, especially given their personal circumstances.

Personally, I wouldn't offer SubTo or a Wrap, For reasons I've written about fairly extensively. https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/70/topics/1227199-the-m...However, I would sell on "Lease Option" and that may work for you.

Any recommendations on Houston REI groups that meet in person or virtually?

It's a personal preference.

they're not magic.are you going to in-person / informal meetups? 

It also gives you multiple work surfaces so you can have more than one person in the kitchen without getting in each others' way.

I'm still in the learning phase and have read about a hundred different books on FI and personal finance.Looking for any resources that might help me on my way.