Go in dressed like a million bucks interested in renting the property with a clipboard.

Then within the past 10 or 15 years, a few key areas have absolutely exploded with development, bringing in fancy shops and restaurants, nightlife, and housing.

I say - if you cannot find a local meetup - start your own  - it doesn't have to be fancy or anything big - simply met at a coffee shop or someplace where the group can talk like a Denny's or local restaurant and just start tossing some ideas around - don't worry about content so much - you have a group of people in front of you full of content - just start asking how people are doing business - what works for them - what isn't working - investors love telling war stories.  

A fancy way to say, f*cking off from the rat race, if you ask me :)As for the 4hour work week book, I personally found it weaksauce and full of hot air.

My hot buttons to draw attention away would be crown, fireplace with limestone, fancy light fixtures, upgraded cabinet doors with 30" uppers, stained concrete or laminate floors and stainless appliances and brushed nickel everywhere and two tone paint.

Don't just go for fancy webpages.

You can also make fancy groups if needed, plus many other options.  

Dress to impress!

I bought myself a fancy clipboard that has pockets and holders for  printouts and is easy to write on.  

Then you can hope for appreciation and escalating rents over time.Also,don't get too fancy with any rehab.