I’ve been fortunate enough to work my way into a $170k/ year position with my current company but feel that something (freedom) is missing every day. I’m only 30 and realize “good things” don’t last forever and I keep...

Doing all this while you maintain owner-occupier status. 

I can pick on Ted he was the realtor that helped me purchase my investment property.Anyhow, having bad property management can cost you more money down the road if they're not properly screening or maintaining the properties.

Shane Stokes in Midland is good as well.

He is also required to mow the grass, maintain & work the property & maintain our equipment.

depends on you income to maintain your household ,but the numbers are good and you can quickly replace your saving through a cash out refinance  

The cost and effort required to form and maintain a simple LLC for each property you own is not astronomical, although exact costs range by state.Some people also choose form only one LLC and hold multiple properties in that LLC. 

I am not sure if tenants care about that much if you maintain the unit.

Further, we got the seller to subordinate to a renovation loan allowing us to maintain a reasonable interest rate for the seller financed portion and fully renovate the property with minimal cash invested.

Instead, have the PM include a requirement to the Rental Agreement that Tenant must maintain water and electric to the system 24/7; must report damaged heads or leaks immediately; and is responsible to restore the yard to current condition upon move out.