For contact management like that its awesome to search for specific types of people and locations or just data like "how long does it take to foreclose in texas".We have some other use cases as well that we use to track not only ours but competitors results online and learning what does and does not work for different aspects of the business.

This is a humongous audience to tap into so you have to take advantage of it sooner rather than later to find great real estate deals and motivated sellers.Your best bet to connect with people quickly is to run Facebook ads and promoted posts.

Networking through meetups and leveraging online communities like BiggerPockets can provide invaluable support and insights as you take your first steps.Good luck!

If you want to understand 5-year outlook, I'd look for multifamily construction data in your area to understand what level of new units is and will be coming online in the near future. 

The owner needs to know you are solid, a good bet.

The real work is locating these properties and I've learned the best way to do this is to work in towns/areas that have online GIS systems that map; topography, wetlands, soils, etc. and assessors data available for download either from local sources or listsource.com.  

I think they just started offering it again.Dyches Boddiford has a good course https://assets101.com/events/hard-money-lending-online/I and several others have taken it.

Appreciation: Are you primarily looking for immediate cash flow (rental income exceeding expenses) or are you betting on long-term appreciation?

In my opinion, that is a riskier bet because you have to have a big pile of cash for contingencies.  

@Scott Trench   ​    I saw that as well online - 90 day moratorium - basicaly no unsolicitied offers to homeowners impacted in specific zip codes.