With a little planning, you can minimize any negatives. 

Is paying some monthly fee good enough for access to MLS data without being on a conflicting situation where it feels like investors are wasting your time?

But it's in your best interest if they know up front so that they can a) send you the right stuff and not waste your time, or b) not waste their own time.Good luck!

Very minimal stuff can be done by the homeowner, as long as you get certified by taking an online test.

I have very minimal capital to start.

So my experience is minimal.  

Don't waste your money on a washer and dryer for tenants in a two family.

If you don't like it refuse to approve that lease and tell the Seller he can fix it or find another Buyer.Too, if the rent was set at some ridiculous amount or some other odd conditions (i.e. 99 year lease with no increases), I think you could argue in court that the Seller was committing economic "waste" of the property, and just like if they decided to rip out all the plumbing the day before you close, you could back out without penalty. 

We know only one person in town who is an investor, and he's adamant that renting to students is a waste of time and money.Of course, only one such piece of advice, while valuable, isn't enough.

@Mathew Allen Michael Noto covered it.Don't waste much time thinking about it, just call the Bridgeport Building Inspector and ask them directly.