You are on the complete right path....educate, network, and take action...I'd also highly recommend getting to all the in-person meetup possible - then make sure to be-friend the host!

I probably would quality for being a trade or business with the amount of hours I put in remodeling and such but since I don't have logs for the past 4 years (since I've had my rentals for much longer), it would be at least 3 to 4 more years before I'd qualify for that.

I'd start by looking at homes online and just driving the neighborhoods.

I'd venture to say that the percentage of valuble info, after you've ingested most of the content out there, is no higher with paid content then with the free content you will curate for yourself.  

I’d love to get back into a project but i have to say the market is rough right now as i’m sure you all agree.  

I'd honestly work on increase your income and saving more, try to get to 40K then go the hard money route.

I'd be patient, keep looking, inspecting, and making offers that work for you.  

The total cost can be compared if that's an issue but if the renter is paying I'd be more lenient. 

I'd also look at what a start home is now vs 20 or 30 years ago (or longer). 

I'd like to introduce you to a simple rule for your initial "Is this a good deal?"