Through the CRE you can engage a buyers broker to find properties that meet the criteria suggested by the CRE.I know my advice is unconventional in today's instantaneous knowledge, instant satisfaction, guru worship environment.  

There were portions that I liked and portions that I thought could be improved upon.I believe that group cohesiveness and openness are two keys to creating the best environment for people to interact whether they be someone new to REI, like myself, or the most experienced member of a meetup.I am curious...What in your opinion makes for the most optimal meetup?

But back then the interest rate environment was 1.5-2% higher than what they are now, so they are comparable to what Finance of America is offering now.So with high value houses, I think the fees are not too bad, but if your house is between 100-200k, it looks expensive. 

In today's very low interest rate environment, something in the 6-8% interest rate range usually works for both parties.

I would also add real estate and bonds to the list as well.I think we are in a deflationary environment (i.e. too much debt and excessively low interest rates) and expect the value of most asset classes to fall over the coming few years.Like you, I'm saving my cash and hoping to buy my first rental property when prices come back down.Best of luck with your investments!

@Sebastian Castro I’m also new to this environment.

The experience of being in a RE environment,, hearing the language and seeing business done is priceless. 

I think I want a face to face classroom environment where I can hear an instructor's "lessons learned" and network with other newbies.  

I hate to say it but this is a much tougher environment now than in 2012 for newbies.  

One of the guests on a podcast said that his goal was to have $2MM in DEBT We are in such a low interest rate environment, where money is cheap.