Maine in particular has a few markets with a decent amount of multifamilies.

We are Canadians eyeing up the market in the USA and looking to start investing in properties across the border. 

The more people you meet the more you'll recognize the ones doing what you'd like to do and you can start learning to how to provide value to them / find them deals maybe.It's a tough market and unless you are providing value to an investor it's not going to be as easy as finding someone to shadow, i don't think.

If the rents are already nearing market rates, will she be able to go up that much? 

Market forces are pushing and pulling but not a source of anything breaking.

Use AirDNA.co for market research.Search the immediate area, in "Traveler mode" to see what the competition is doing.All that said, I concur with the general sentiment of the above comments.You are already running tight. 

I would say you should start off by just meeting multi-family investor-friendly agents who can help get you started with 5 units search and work on finding you off-market ones as well Thanks Kerlous!

Are they using market rates for their labor, or are they only counting $20 an hour when a professional would charge $45?

Determine a suitable market, type of home, and satisfactory set of financial conditions for your purchase.

What market are you in?