For networking, check out local BiggerPockets meetups or real estate investor groups in Orange County.

Podcasts and networking have been the key for me.

Advanced options like a charitable remainder trust can provide tax deductions while avoiding immediate capital gains.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

This has probably been the one thing that has helped me scale my portfolio so much and so quickly within the past 6 years.So the things that I would bring to the table that a new investor wouldn’t have access to (at least at the beginning until they build their own systems and networks) would be my knowledge and streamlining of getting financing, having deal flow, using vetted and skilled subcontractors, discounted prices on materials, systems in place to find tenant buyers, and streamlined refinancing and management in placeIt is similar to turnkey, only you don’t have to put 25% down and you walk into equity and the exit is already planed and the tenant buyer gets connected with a lender upfront to help them get ready to exercise in the option within 3 years.So that is what makes this different than other models.

We had a client that bought in Port huron and then ended up selling their property because they went through 3 PMCs and gave up trying to find a great one:(Some copy and paste advice below:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Alternatively, consider increasing rent or reducing expenses to boost cash flow.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

I started networking with other investors recently.

Sure, it can be quite a process, but with experience and a growing network, it does become more manageable.Let's go!

I should have a person I know at each of the colleges I'm looking at going to that can give me an insight on their networks.

And yes, plenty of people use it as a self-marketing / networking tool, and why shouldn't they???