In Louisiana, this process is typically much more lax and I know several people who have succeeded in having homestead exemptions on several properties at once (no idea whether it's legal). 

I guess, how do I decide where to commit my research to before contacting all these people and sticking it out.

I’ve heard people say don’t do it, but not sure why and frankly don’t want to be dishonest if they ask.

Hello Damon,It's great to see Local (and Surrounding) people from H-Town in here.   

A lot of people do this professionally, but make sure you vet the operator if you're considering it.

BP has been vital in making connections to learn not only with national people but with local investors in my area as well (no specific meetups though).

Personally, I'm not a fan, but I could see why some people like it. 

The city has seen a rise in rental demand, especially for multi-family units, as more people are drawn to the area for its relatively lower cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas on the West Coast.Investors looking to enter the Spokane market for small multi-family properties should keep an eye on key factors such as property location, rental trends, and local development projects.

I guess what I'm looking for is a legal loan shark, do people like this exist?

And, don't make eye contact with people this stupid.Hope this helps.