I've just been hired to the marketing team for a private money lending firm.

We self manage allow us to keep firm control, lower vacancies.

Cap rates and cash flow seem to be good there, but i wanted to know if anyone with experience in that market knows whether there are solid property management firms in that area who can work with outside investors?

Maybe as  a next step you could see if a real estate company or property management firm could use you as a volunteer to learnt he ropes?  

(The one I like to use is part of a lawyer firm, and is fantastic at sorting legal issues out)

There is a large well known law firm in town that specializes in HOA issues if you get to that point.  

Also if you want to get into multi family then you will want to check out the NEREIA in Chelmsford in October as @Ann Bellamy (who is also one of the hosts of the Black Diamond meeting I mentioned) will be one of the speakers discussing strategies for buying and financing owner occupied multi family properties (might be a little off on the specifics but that is the jist of it). 

Beyond work and real estate, we are also avid social dancers-blues and swing-and our current living situation allows us to host blues parties about once a month, which we love doing.

I would particularly recommend the Black Diamond event in Waltham who is hosted by BP member @Ann Bellamy, the quarterly meeting organized by @Justin Silverio (he got one scheduled for tomorrow so i recommend you reach out to him) or the NEREIA in Chelmsford.

I am not sure about the market you live in, but I have never had to pay for gas for a contractor or evaluation fees in order to get a bid and I have received many bids in the past from a host of different subs.