If I may suggest if you are looking for specific legal, accounting or some other specialty knowledge information my standard answer is based on my 25 years experience but with the caveat to always check with a local professional in that specific field.  

Im wanting to get in to real estate investing (flipping homes, buying duplexs), and I wanted know what some of professionals think about the Atlanta market to start in.

You need to talk to your professional. 

Just trying to see what the market is like in St. Louis in regards to house flipping. What areas are people buying in️ vs. renting. What areas to stay away from.

Most professional property managers will not even manage a property with a home warranty in place because it's a disaster waiting to happen.Just say no.

These properties were well known to the professionals involved in finding housing for felons, sexual offenders  and people with mental illness. 

You should hire the best  professional advisors starting with a CPA and an attorney. 

I'm an IT professional from Lombard, IL, and I'm looking to get my feet wet in buy-and-hold real estate investing. 

Too small for a good, professional manager and onsite personnel and too big for you or smaller managers to manage.

The young man was a pleasure to work with and was very honest and professional, so we moved forward.