Check out the nearby members and network at https://www.biggerpockets.com/meet, it will help you a lot to find partners that can help you out in investing.Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or clarifications.

How well you deal with certain types of people, getting calls at all hours, creating networks so you can quickly have the resources needed to calm a problem.  

Check out the Network tab for REI events you can attend near you.

It seems as though the good deals originate from these brokers and networking more than MLS, Redfin, Trulia, Craigslist, ETC.

There are always deal to wholesale no matter where you live, the problem is that to get those deals you need a combination of a good network and marketing. 

As such, I would like to broaden my network and get to know other investors.My immediate goal is to eliminate my rent expense through house hacking as this process sounds the most appealing to me.

Go to a networking meeting, offer them 12% interest or $1000 interest minimum, something appealing to an investor.

You should definitely look into networking, check out the bigger pockets events and happenings page to find some local places. 

Do you all have any general advice, networks, meet-ups, and businesses in the area that would be great for me to get started?

I need to know what kinds of attorney's I should be looking to speak to and also CPA or Tax consultant  to look for?