A 2 stage is like a pitcher with a fast ball and change up.

Most PM software won't be worth the cost at this point depending on your budget.At this stage, a good ole Excel/Google Sheet will do for keeping up with your income/expenses.

What would you recommend for people in the early stages?

As I have been building my foundational knowledge for investing, I am at the stage where I am also wanting to keep up with the market data that, so I may better understand the specifics of the market of my choice.

Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

The rest of developed world was in various stages of disaster and incapable to truly compete. 

Since I am rehabbing, I am not at that stage yet, but since you have 8 you probably have a lot of experience with Decatur tenants. 

At this stage, you want to ensure that the property is cash-flow positive, meaning the rent covers expenses and leaves a profit.4.

Good opportunities, early stage opportunities, may not have the best online presence, but be otherwise legitimate.Also IRR is a vanity metric, it's the wrong measurement.

Or in the early stages ask for more detailed financials for the last rolling 12 months, and come back with that data early in the process to weed out those who won't budge?