Mentor/REI groups for starting out - Chicagoland area

[Monika Ruszaj]

Hi all! First time poster here looking for some advice. I work a Corporate 9-5 (Risk Management and Insurance) and looking to get out of the rat race, and have recently started researching REI. I have started with episode one of the RE Rookie podcast and I am hooked! I have books I have ordered from Amazon as well, and I love that I have have also found this community of like minded individuals. I'd love for my first investment to be a house hack and then eventually a BRRR or a buy and hold, or open to other suggestions!

I want to take the next step and keep educating myself for the next few months before any strategic action is taken. Any advice on next steps? 

1.) Are REI meet up groups worth it? Where do I find those? (Chicagoland area)

2.) What do you think about working part time at a Property management company to gain exposure? Or a property manager or co host for air bnbs? I am a great communicator and problem solver by trade, but this may be a different animal! 

3.) thoughts on mentors? Any on IG? Worth it to buy one of those courses or do one on one coaching? 

Welcome any and all feedback, criticism, anecdotes, bad jokes etc :) 

[Mark Ainley]

@Derek Shelton just sent you a DM.