We sort of "lucked" into the first ones but now we are actually having to plan out purchasing our first true investment property.

@Randy E. we are not planning on purchasing any at this time, they will always be an assignment.

We are currently renting our home in McAllen, Texas, but this time with the help of a property management company.

Sure, we are out an option fee that way, but that's less than a major foundation issue, for example. 

Every time we do we regret it because that means that we are putting someone into the property that doesn’t have the resources to save money and pay the option fee.

We are planning to house-hack when we move and use some savings to do some flipping to fund some brrrr deals on some smaller mfr's and scale up from there.I almost forgot this is just an introduction.

And we are all busy nowadays.  

Here we are two months later and I have started a conversation with them regarding the water bill, liability and property safety due to the pool.  

@Shane BrownMost states allow you to keep the receipt-costs for any repair that are necessary (beyond normal wear and tear).

We are at a high value sellers market.