We asked if we could meet up with her to talk about buying the building and she invited us over to her home.

Second floor tenant, who lost her lasts months rent because old landlord used it when she was behind, seems to have invited other people to live in the apartment when she found out there was a new landlord.

I recommend looking into the local credit unions first (Charlotte Metro, Truliant, etc.).Also, in addition to the meetings @Karen Rittenhouse mentioned, I'd invite you to come out to the next networking meetup of local BiggerPocket members:Charlotte, NC REI Networking Meetup - Tues.

We went from a nationally moderate rental atmosphere to one of the most anti-landlord in the country in just 3 years.

Hi Anthony Wick, I appreciate the invite and the info.

I don't know that I want to invite that type of karma into my life.

You could invite people to a "Home Buying Seminar"

I appreciate your invitation!

You could invite them to a seminar on home buying. 

With the job, I would recommend looking for something with a large property management company such as FirstKey, Invitation Homes, American Homes for Rent, etc. since there is no better way to learn the industry from the inside out.