How to get information/data?

[Gavin Hirsch]

I am very new to real estate investing, working on getting my first deal now! I have been spending time on BP but this is my first time posting...

Basically I am trying to find out the best way to get information about my market.  I am working on finding an agent because I know a good one will have much of what I'm looking for... but I want to start educating myself now.

I want to get into rentals so mostly want to figure out how I know if there is a rental market in different areas and what the rents typically are. Is there a way to get that information without being on the MLS?