New to Real Estate Investing

Hello! 
Angela and Kris here. We are excited to start this new journey of real estate investing. We have been researching for at least the last 6-8 months on the best ways to invest. Real estate is where we want to be. We both work full time and know there is more out there than the 9-5 grind. We want to utilize our income to set us up for financial success as we get older and for generational wealth for our kids. We are interested in appreciation, short term/mid term rentals but also tax benefits that come with real estate. 
I think we are headed to the Dallas/Fort Worth area for our first home. Any info about the area would be much appreciated! 

Thank you and we look forward to connecting here with others on Bigger Pockets :-)