I have roughly $10,000 and I'm looking for ideas on how to get started flipping houses in my local market.  

I'd recommend attending CTREIA events.  

I will get in touch with the references and also dedicate a day to chatting with local agents.

Are you able to figure out how to house hack locally? 

Nice to meet a local thank you for the info :)  I am in East Greenbush 

Talk to local investors (someone unbiased, not an agent or wholesaler) and experienced property management companies who will let you know rental rates for different areas, tenant base, etc.  

There are many alternatives you can use, I would urge you to check your local laws but I know here in Cleveland, OH we can charge an increased deposit or we can also require a guarantor (who can have different credit req. then someone living in the unit) It's important that no matter what you do you do it for everyone going forward, making exceptions for screening for some but not all can become a Fair Housing issue. 

I am a local RE Broker in Cape Coral and understand your concerns.

I hired a local property manager because doing it myself was a bit too much with my full time job.

@Raj Balakrishnan happy to introduce you to a local leasing agent who only does section 8 rentals and has a great reputation and rents most of our section 8 properties.