I have seen REI Hub recommended on here, but I am unsure of their ability to work with local banks, so if anyone has any experience they can speak of that would be greatly appreciated.  

I'm Gabriel Peryam, a local arborist with New Urban Forestry, where we specialize in tree care including: removals, pruning, and plant healthcare services.

You picked a great community to join.. have you checked out local comps to gauge the market vibe yet?

I would get back to local real estate investor meetups so you can connect with locals to the area and kind of get back in the game slowly that way.

Similar to the comments above on using FurnishedFinder, also check Airbnb and sort for 30+ day rental options. in addition, I'd recommend talking to the local university and hospitals nearby by calling to their various departments.

I am new to real estate investing and looking to connect with any local (DMV) investor.

Initially I’m wanting to start in the local Chattanooga/North Georgia area

Not sure how localized this forum will be, but I would go to propstream, put in exactly what you want and then call, mail, email, or text them.

Second, I'd connect with some local hosts in your area also in addition to Airdna.

Focus on smaller single-family homes, condos with low HOA fees, or multi-family properties in these regions, and build a reliable local team of agents, property managers, and other professionals to ensure a smooth investing experience.