I offer an online payment portal to submit rent payments via ACH or CC - they "couldn't figure out how to use it" so I set us up to accept Zelle payments.

Do you use a “book” for information or an online service ?

My recommendation would be to get approved as a Landlord, contact the director's office and request that an inspection be completed before a tenant is selected (sometimes they will do this as long as you select a tenant within 14 days - which you want anyways), and have an online application and screening resource in place.  

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

The good ones will have access to off-market deals. 

The real work is locating these properties and I've learned the best way to do this is to work in towns/areas that have online GIS systems that map; topography, wetlands, soils, etc. and assessors data available for download either from local sources or listsource.com.  

Networking, local meetups, door knocking, mailers, wholesalers, online forums specific to your area of interest.  

I do SMS, cold call, mail, online, wholesalers, etc.

The location is key, with easy access to transportation, parks, and the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Quote from @Angela Harris: Quote from @Brenden Stadelman: @Ned Carey they don't feed you deals; they give you access to software that's like deal machine or prop stream.