Listen to as many podcasts as you can and attend all of your local meetups to connect with other investors.

Since I'm not a pigeon forge local, I also don't have a good feel for the appropriate cost of goods and services either.While I don't necessarily suspect anything nefarious from the management company, I don't now that our financial incentives are always well-aligned. 

Build your network by joining local real estate investor meetups or online communities like BiggerPockets.

I'm not local but may be worth a trip and 1 week off clearing the lots if I can save some money.

We've worked with local banks and been able to finance the three we own without any issues.I don't necessarily know if it's "beginner" investor friendly but you'll learn everything you need in the bootcamp which is the gold standardWe get loans with 3-7 year balloons and 25 year amortization typically

Reach out me as I am a local Realtor and can assist you!

Some ways to find that person is local Real Estate Investor Facebook groups, local Real Estate Investor Associations, Realtors who list multiple properties for other investors, Bigger Pockets website's forum, and local property managers.You will also want to try to get on the buyer's list for local real estate wholesalers.To Your Success!

As for meeting local wholesalers, networking at meetups or even online could help you connect with the right people. 

We have had work crews from a local lab and solar farm (separate bookings, obviously) for 3-8 weeks that rent the whole house in the offseason.

If you want to network or ask specific questions about your local market, go to your local real estate forum and connect with investors from your area: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/86-local-real-estate-networking5.