Because Texas is such a pain in the butt to get one, I would say hold off until you have deals going - in other words, making money.  

To the OP, we're close to Fayetteville but we specifically avoid any properties in Fayette County due to the big pain in the neck they are.

I highly recommend them anyway as bigger traditional lending is a pain to work with.

Moving costs money and is a pain. 

This is a pain to track, but you will be glad when you file taxes.

The program can sometimes be a pain to deal with and they definitely get into your business.

I didn't learn anything new when it comes to putting in flooring replacing subfloor tiling most of that I already knew how to do but I think the experience of looking at it from a real estate investing point of view was a big thing. as well as going through the loan process and understanding how painfully slow HUD and other big corporations can be Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

All slow and painful that's the best I  can say about it. 

Just realize that it is trying to HELP YOU get ready...for embarrassment, or to summons courage, or to get out of your comfort zone, to be agile minded and think quick on your feet, or to be Open to unbelievable pain."

It’s a pain!