I am looking for someone to help me along the way but also help me get into my first property so that I can grow.

For example, I personally focus on cash flow so I look for markets that have low property taxes, landlord-friendly laws, and a growing economy(more rental demand). 

As the brand grows, so does the competitive advantage over other landlords that don't take as good of care in maintaining their properties.

You'll win some and you'll lose some, and you'll grow.

“Austin is growing rapidly, and as we look ahead to accommodate existing and future Austinites, there needs to be a plan in place for a more affordable and sustainable city,” said Dewitt Peart, president and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance.

I'm working on growing my list of possible investors while I'm getting started. 

Buy small because they grow fast and then you have to trim.  

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190418/austin-region-fastest-growing-large-metro-in-nation-8-years-running-data-shows  Its job creation that is always the driver...

We had always thought about it but we decided to get more serious now that our family is starting to grow.

They don't have the intimate knowledge of the city that comes from years of growing up/living/working there; they don't vet the neighborhood.