everyone wants the distressed assets you're trying to find.the short answer to your questions is: start going to lots and lots of meetups and network in person.i would also think about house hacking as soon as you can. 

I am specifically looking in Essex county, MA because I want to house back close enough to my current W-2 job.

There's no workaround for bringing it in house.

I've dealt with this exact same situation, and ontop of everything I was dealing with the Section 8 housing authority because my tenant was a voucher holder. 

I can't give a tutorial re how to originate a note today, selling a house with financing in just one post. 

@Michael Davisstart with a house hack

In addition, a strong property management company will tackle all aspects of marketing, application, ensuring resident satisfaction, fair housing, handling late payment/evictions, renewals, etc. 

Flipping houses is a lot of work.

My wife and I got a duplex downtown and are house hacking one unit. 

Quote from @Charles Evans: I'm a new house hacker here.