The energy in person is different for me, and I've made some of my best connections and friends at Chicago meetups.Here is a list of the Chicago event from BP: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...I also have a list of ALL THE CHICAGO MEETUPS that I am happy to share with you. 

I can provide support of checking in on contractors, staging rental properties, walk potential leads to give you an idea of the property in person or what the area is like, meeting with agents, and drafting scope of work for projects. 

I'd also like to invite you to join THE MTR Connect, a group I host that meets virtually every Friday from noon - 1:30pm EST.

Then connect with some hard money lenders (you can find some here on BP as well as some who are typing this right now) and connect with them to understand their product type, what they like to lend on and requirements.Hard money broker is all numbers game of making relationships and helping those that are looking for financing, it starts out slow but if you get with a few good borrowers and lenders it can be pretty decent money to be made.As an example we paid six figures last year to HM brokers. 

There are many here in my local area and your area is likely to have the same type of meetings.Most of the deals that I fund are by meeting investors in person at these groups and creating strong relationships. 

From there, I would start to run numbers on those deals in that area/streets, and then start to connect with local agents/PMs to get an even better feel for pricing on homes along with rents for them. 

This means, on average, that this person is facing foreclosure or bankruptcy, and has no other reasonable options.

If interested in adding another state / city to the list I am happy to connect - but hopefully this is irrelevant and you are already progressing along well with your purchase!!!!  

Focus on connecting with the ones who add the most value and ask for the least from you.

A Mortgage Broker,Happy to connect.