We're in the same boat, looking to start investing here in Corpus.

Seems like we're in a similar boat!

Great for boating, fishing, camping and lounging on the beach all day. 

Cool that you have family there and get to visit - we're in the same boat then!  

I got really excited about this for a while but the more I look into it the more I fear that Im just too much of an amateur and missed the boat.  

Some ships have sailed and you might have missed the boat.

although at the base element most real estate revolves around someone buying it from you or renting it from you.however their are niches.. but there is no free lunch.. if you want the ease and passiveness of a mutual fund the only thing I have really seen that equals that is buying dirt in the path of progress ( some of the biggest fortunes are made there) and buying young to middle age timber in great growing and forest products land like the northwest.. were Timber land bought right can make you a boat load of money with zero involvement in the property.. ( up until you hire the logger to log the timber)..

I would be glad to meet up but I’m in your same boat.

This is only for non-real estate mortgage interest on a primary residence (write off the mortgage interest you used to buy a boat).

@Shane BishopI've house hack a duplex and came was in the boat.