The key is to find a market with relatively low home prices and high rents. 

Most people would jump at the opportunity to rid themselves of debt.You are allowed to add monies above X on the payoff demand if that money was spend on things related to the X deed of trust...taxes, insurance, property maintenance. 

That being said I do have some discomfort using the term because it's relatively new (to me) compared to shows like McGilivray's Income Property which lead me to purchase my current "house hack".

I'm in a similar situation as you, with kids ages 6, 4, and 2, living in a smallish house.

Only answers that relate to your bottom line will be useful for "bigger pockets"!

You can really target just that market, likely to move, renters, income level, age, networth, etc. 

I am relatively new, and I've already picked up that there are several people who call themselves investors, but are not truly investors at all.

The major pros to owning rental property in Austin mostly relate to the strength of the 21st century economy here.

Definitely start jumping into the community here and feel free to ask any questions related to Real Estate investing!

Especially if it is something related to building a team.