Making Connections in North Alabama

[Mae Jefferson]

Hello,

I am new to real estate but am almost finished getting my RE license. I have been listening to BP and associated podcasts like crazy. I'm so excited to get started investing. Experts always say to make local connections and learn from people already investing. Go to meet-ups, introduce yourself to lenders, etc. I am having trouble finding meetups and/or investors in my area. I KNOW there have to be local investors but does anyone have any advice on how to find them (and meet-ups)?  I think this is my next step because I am having trouble with the following:

*Should I just find a loan officer and introduce myself as a new investor and ask him/her to run some numbers for me even if I haven't got the capital to buy just yet? 

* I try to analyze deals for practice but I have no idea what a contractor would charge for certain improvements. Can anyone tell me how to practice without wasting a contractor's time?

*I'd like to learn the area I will be practicing real estate REALLY well so I can be prepared. I realize I should learn: zoning, property taxes, areas that are developing/growing, general sale prices/neighborhoods & rents ...what else? and HOW?

Thank you everyone!

Mae