The only issue we did have was unwanted people living there who were not on the lease.I am not sure on the specifics in your state as to evicting these people in case that you need to. 

I know that most people say it's dependent upon your area and what you are comfortable but I am just looking for any guidance.

Then you simply deny them.What it does, unfortunately, is induce people who aren't qualified to apply because you can't exclude them in the advertising or on a blind inquiry.

Since you are taking on additional liability having tenants in place, you're probably going to want to update your insurance policy and put some sort of asset protection in place - most people use an LLC for a small portfolio.

The guy that used to take people on their Houston quit Dustin and now has a facebook page, Tax Liens & Deeds and Beyond.

If I need to undergo a colonoscopy to determine if a lender makes a 30 year loan to people with an 815 FICO at 85% LTV with an in place tenant and monthly income of $1400 with a market value of $125,000, or if you can't tell me any interest rate info until I submit my tax returns to you...

I am just beginning my real estate journey and I'd love to get to know new people who have been at this for a while.

I am particularly interested in finding a house in a good neighborhood that has not yet appreciated significantly but has potential for future growth.I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with experienced real estate agents in the area to understand which neighborhoods might be good investment opportunities.

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). 

They have done this across the entire county so everyone is experiencing.