I'm hoping to find someone with immense contacts / resources in the area and has investment experience.  

@Joy OmenyiWelcome to Bigger Pockets.

. - I liked what you mentioned until the last sentence :) Looking for areas that have bigger economic engines that can create stable renters and lesser headaches.

Here you can find all sorts of resources that people share freely.

Hello bigger pockets community, I wanted to thank all of you for sharing such a great information about real estate investing. 

Hello, this is my first post here in bigger pockets, loving the podcasts and hoping to find some good answers and help here on the forums.I am interested in a property in Keizer, OR (north Salem suburb).  

@Kailee KingWelcome to Bigger Pockets.

However I have only lightly looked around on sites like Trulia, Zillow etc. and I have heard that they usually aren't the best resources compared to having a real estate agent with the MLS.

I am eager to continue learning and I know that Bigger Pockets will be a major part of helping me attain my goal one day.

@Trinette LindseyWelcome to Bigger Pockets.