Abby,Talk to a local, traditional mortgage broker. 

You certainly can go to a local REIA and seek out someone with cash or a self directed IRA that may either give you a loan in 2nd position or you could sell an Option on your house for the cash you need.

As I get more confident in my real estate knowledge I plan to actively learn by going to real estate meet-ups and meeting up with some local investors. 

Does anyone have an opinion on the best way to obtain your local market stats and trends (average: Price/sqft, sales price, rent to price etc.)?

Find a local lender right away and get with your builder too.  

Hey Mary I’m a local investor in the Piedmont Triad area(Winston Salem, Greensboro and High Point).

@David Bridgman You may want to check with local mobile home dealerships and other mobile home park managers and/or owners in the area.

Do some research on the rental market, looking into things like rental rates, vacancy rates, the demographics of potential tenants, and local regulations.

The method for calculating property tax amounts for rental properties can vary depending on local tax regulations and practices.

Connect with fellow real estate investors and industry experts to establish a strong network of professionals.