It is a very beginner-friendly, pragmatic guide to good financial practices. 

When I appraised notes for the State of Missouri, the very first question I had was "Is this obligation enforceable, was it in compliance with rules, regulations and laws at the time it was originated?

Would give me practice to rent it once I move out etc. 

Maybe a family in your area has a relative that would like to rent nearby but who doesn't think now is a good time to buy in this current housing market.You might even find someone who likes to target practice if that's a safe activity in your area. 

I have seen a post from a guy that broke down his criteria for properties above 200k and below 200k and the price he is willing to pay for "deals" is so low the owners would be practically giving them away like buying an owner out saving them from a foreclosure and his comp forcast is for a 1 mile radius not 5 or 10.

What are the best practices for quickly securing reliable tenants and ensuring positive cash flow, especially for someone new to this?

Prior to syndicating deals, I worked for a commercial real estate investor in NYC for 14 years and gained a lot of knowledge and practical experience while in that role. 

Networking is always a great practice and you never know who you might meet there and what good information they have to share.

Are there extra steps or regulations I should know about?

It's quite ironic when you think that Tulum has regulations preventing from building more than 3 to 4 story highs and from building on 40% on any buildable lot.