Often the regional brokers will have reports specific to the metro they cover, which can also be very helpful.Some Paid Ones: ALN, MPF Research, Axiometrics.For the above, if you build relationships with brokers and property management companies they will usually be happy to forward you the reports for free.Some newsletters, magazines, and the like that are useful:Multifamily Executive, Bisnow, Units Magazine, NAA Industry Insider, and the various newsletters put out by the other sources listed above. 

I currently assess web applications for security vulnerabilities.

I have seen some interesting posts like:How do you approach your first investor for seed capitalOrHow do I invest in real estate in my 20sAre there any other forums you found like bigger pockets or is the best and only serious one on the web?

However, I'm absolutely bewildered and mind boggled by the sheer amount if information on the web, most of it seeming to conflict.

His weirdly religious final chapters... the fact that most of his later books are chapter-for-chapter plagiarisms of his earlier books.... the fact that he keeps popping up in different RE businesses with weird homebrew web sites every few years... but I have to love him for empowering me to understand the business.By the way if you like Berges you would probably also like Dave Lindahl.

What I'd really like is some kind of lead tracking application (Mac or web-based, preferably Android-friendly) that will allow me to track property information including address, seller contact info, deal numbers, notes, etc., without having to create my own database.Does something like that exist?

@Alexis ScottHello and Welcome to BiggerPockets, the Best Real Estate site on the web.

Can I get any old contract template off the web or would I have to go to my attorney to write me one. 

I do not know any specific realtors in your area, but many properties on the fanniemae web site qualify for 203k loans.  

You could do a google search on the types of properties you want in the city or cities of interest that could lead you right to their web sites and listings.