I desperately hope that Rad pulls through this hard time and returns to the successes associated with the investors I spoke to prior to joining.

Here in Colorado, you need to have a real estate license, and in order to get your license you need to go through what basically amounts to an apprenticeship for two years (associate), before you can have your own firm.  

I'd really like to find someone here who has dealt with them :-)Hey Randy, check out the American Association of Private lenders.

So you missing that investors are well compensated for the risk associated with the various policies/regulations. 

Are you associated with RealWealth? 

A great way to start is by attending RE events and joining a local investors association.

By offering a larger down payment, you can position yourself as a more attractive buyer and avoid some of the challenges associated with competing in the more investor-heavy multifamily market.

I volunteer and host an online group for our local chapter of the Real Estate Investors Association (REIA).

(If not, then you should, IMHO)We're all in sales ultimately, and keeping potential business associates on a marketing list is our lifeline.Also, if you were "politely told" that it's not a great fit - how is this a problem? 

Meetup is a fantastic app to find real estate meetings around you, and look for local REIA (real estate investor associations) and attend a bunch of meetings.