Even for listing brokers the AM's highly covet their e-mails and phone contacts and change them frequently.

Once in a while I see a SFH with an accessory basement apartment, but I understand that I'm not supposed to rent both units if I'm no longer an occupant.

I live in Burlington, Vermont where I make and sell handmade women's clothing and accessories.

We have been looking primarily at 2 family by CO homes, should we open up to accessory apartment homes as well?

The wow factor is in the 'accessories'.

Just start googling Tiny Homes, Granny Flats, Casitas, "COTTAGES" and/or Accessory Dwelling Units aka ADU's.

Maybe bring a bit of furniture & accessories from your own house to stage it (or rent from one of those rent-to -own places, tip from @Brandon Turner on a podcast, I think).  

I'm currently checking with an agent and others on rent prices for similar properties or even the possibility of turning it into an accessory dwelling. 

Even just entering the listings or vacancies might get you very conversant in the local market.Then you could also make some key contacts, learn the process, and maybe even find your first deal (a client may be willing to owner finance a rental, for example).If you are handy, you might try and work with a firm that does apartment turnovers (make ready) or even as a laborer for a remodeling contractor (especially one that does flip work for others or on their own)--to get the full hands on view of how to get apartments ready to rent or flips ready to sell.Maybe the best hands on way to work in the space is to buy your first rental; maybe your first or next home could be a duplex or single family with an accessory apt.Best of Luck.

The money will be to finance my next deal and/or build an accessory dwelling unit in the backyard, which would also be a rental.And if you have any contacts for hard money lenders, I'm interested!