Would I recommend section 8 for a newbie.

Many people choose NOT to have this, because the administrator will then vet every investment you make to ensure you do not invalidate your IRA.Invalidating your IRA means that you've done a prohibited transaction and the entire account is then deemed as distributed to you.If you don't want checkbook control, then I recommend a plan administrator such as Equity Trust - www.trustetc.comIf you are sure that you're aware of all the rules around prohibited transactions and disqualified people (who you can and can't do business with), then a plan administrator like Sense Financial would be a good place to start talking.  

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

For analyzing properties, I’d recommend using BiggerPockets’ BRRRR calculator, as well as running comps through MLS or tools like PropStream and Reonomy to estimate ARV.

Highly recommend looking into Baselane for your rentals.

Any areas of the city that are recommended to start looking in? 

I recommend browsing Airbnb in your target zip codes to see what’s trending on the front page—this can give you valuable insights into what’s working well.

Gutters are a must, I would highly recommend installing them on your property if you dont have them already.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I’d love to hear any tips or strategies that have worked well for you in real estate marketing, especially with PPC campaigns.For those who’ve done this successfully, are there specific keywords, ad placements, or campaign types that you recommend?