I would love to work with anyone in the Atlanta area as an entry level apprentice or whatever could best help me learn all I would need.

Jermaine here, we had only one inspection in six years, all we did was post notice on everyone door of date and time of entry two days before then using our master key did our inspection

Well I figured that that city is the only one that reports the information on number of rooms so because the data wasn't there for the other cities it was assumed those cities have houses with 0 bedrooms.

I have a bit of experience flipping in the Bay Area and holding a multi unit rental out near Buffalo, but I'm hoping to focus more on Long Island despite the obvious barriers to entry in such a high priced market.

Ask the realtor for the past 2-3 years of operational finances  ... s/he will either try to intimidate you away from wanting/needing them - in which case, walk away - or will provide you with a set of rosy, half-fabricated numbers {accept these with scepticism ... if you get in the territory of a deal, you will ask for corroborating information from his/her accountant or tax returns}.Once you have the financial data, take a run at analysing it, then bring it here for folks to review and assist you with coaxing the {likely} truth from the numbers.

I am not sure if other states have something similar.Like @Nazz Wang @Cameron Palmer mentioned check the county historical data from the tax collector website to get the best idea.

And I'd bet less than 1% actually look at any demographic or economic data with the exception of the latest "Best Places to Live" article on Yahoo's homepage.Buying rentals here in California, SoCal specifically, works very well.

It does offer lower entry price points to get started. 

.- look at the historical data of the sales.

What would be the best entry level position that would build the skills and network I need?