I furthered my passion by acquiring a license and starting in development and leasing with commercial firms.

Make them quote firm, set numbers. 

For real estate attorney, I have used Brady Law Firm and been happy with them.

Not from Texas, but some ideas might include joining the local REI Association, joining or hosting a meetup group to network and talk to people doing similar work and who love talking about it. 

I plan on using wordpress and host gator.

For example, you have to have your brokers license for a property management firm in OH.

In fact, there's a Bend Meetup coming the first Thursday of December, hosted by @Grayson Graham, check out the event page.

My dad's also been in construction for 30+ years and can easily work on fixer-uppers, but I'm generally risk-averse (and it's my first property) and don't want to encounter a host of unforeseen issues.

Hello BP, I work for a real estate investment firm based out of NYC and Chicago. 

You don't know what you don't know of course so a way around all the fees for free information try and find/attend some meetups that host a syndication attorney as a guest speaker.