It is a great place to invest! 

Meetups - Our events page is a great place to start, some areas of the country are far more active about posting their meetups than others, if you're not finding anything here meetup.com is a great place to look as well.

You don't know, what you don't know.Bigger Pockets is a great place to find a tax accountant specializing in real estate taxation.

The management companies & local investors usually lease places up within 1-2 weeks max (depending on if you want to hold out of higher rents) How would you think about leasing these out? 

If you want to get a clue about places to avoid investing look at states where insurance premiums have jumped or where homes are uninsurable. 

Some places you can look up that info.

Send it by US Mail with proof of delivery required and/or place it in an envelope with their name on it and post it on their door. 

Their solution was for me to take over ownership of not one but five homes from Jeff's portfolio, all of which I had sold him and subsequently leased.Despite my being patently unfinanceable, the bank president placed a bet on me because I knew the homes, I knew the tenants, I knew what I was doing, and I was rabidly hungry.

Having a tenant in place also helps ensure you get the best loan terms.That said, you can start the conversation with a lender now to prep for the process.

Are there any exceptions in place for the houses that are that old and has existing converted unit in the basement?