What are ways I can do this without paying any service for a landlord portal?

My understanding is that there is no federal housing law in place that speaks to this, unless I get an FHA loan potentially.

You have found the right place for a plethora of information on REI.Read Beginner’s Guide to help you get started: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing Good luck on your journey!

If this HR block person doesn't know (which is common with them sadly) it maybe time for another accountant 

Not sure of their reputation, any insight or tips for navigating this process at all are apricated.  

I am a successful real estate investor who recently acquired his real estate licence to help people achieve the same kind of success and I thought what better way then to write down everything I know into a short compact book full of important information.

Hi Omar, glad to have you as a part of this awesome community!

I think you are overthinking about this.

This is the part a lot of newer investors miss, but if you find a good neighborhood where very few properties trade then there won't be a market for you to find (or even know how to evaluate) a "good" deal. 

Well, alone until I found this site.