This requires self-employment activity, though.

Now that you're active on the forums, you'll find that there are people on here that are JUST as helpful.

Once I start as an agent, I will be actively learning the market in general and for my own future purchase of a rental property.

I would bet the MLS has good deals you just need to spend more time searching and act quickly. 

There's a vacant lot down the street from me that has sat for decades and I'll bet the owner just passes it down to their kids. 

These metrics are reflected on a project level as well as performance for to the project sponsor and investors on a pre and post tax basis.Let me know if you have interest or need for such a tool.Best Regards and good luck in your real estate activities.

I am in zero danger of losing the home I own, and am actively working to get ready to buy my first rental as soon as possible. 

If not, I would ask yourself what kind of investor you want to be, (active, passive etc) and where exactly in the Midwest you would want to invest and the people out there you want to start networking with / building a team. 

Btw, in roughly half of my deals I am representing the buyer and my buyers get the properties they want, so I know my representing them is not working against them.Lastly, if you're active on BP and the forums then you very likely know more about REI then most residential real estate agents (who mainly deal with retail clients).

Your best bets are Bandit Signs/Craigslist/Cold Calling.