You might bump into some money guys there, know they aren't "private lenders" they are hard money lenders fishing in the waters.You'll also find leaches there, (not a derogatory term) it's very acceptable practice in RE for an experienced person to team up with inexperienced players to get a deal done, these experienced types just leach onto newbies and work deals, there are some who do nothing but leach deals providing themselves with more opportunities with less effort.

(I'm 50/50 on this..meaning, maybe your contact has direct access to Hershel Walker (he's worth about 12 mm I've read) or maybe your contact is 3 levels removed from a bankrupt former major baseball player.

Though they typically don't have the software, tools and options of the larger players, they often have the best data, most tailored to the local area.

However, networking locally at the real estate investing clubs and mixers will put you in touch with the local players and propel you to action.  

They will know the players.

There is the risk that a smaller player like myself would have with going all in and not having the large reserves that one really should have to be in larger multis if/ when the economy tanks.There was a commercial guy that gave a very convincing scenario about buying units and how even under bad circumstances you would be ahead so the bigger players should win in the end.

Will the players in a chat be the only ones who can see the chat?

It has definitely worked for me.The point I'm trying to get across to you is that the real players in this business aren't doing what the masses are.

I'm 22 so I know exactly how you feel wanting to buy everything and be a big time real estate player right away, but honestly it just doesn't work that way.

The hotel world is not like residential, it's a very small circle of players.