Quote from @Dan Grove: Hi friends,I'm starting to build a portfolio of long term rentals using creative finance. 

Families appreciate kid-friendly touches like board games or a Pack 'n Play, while pet owners love amenities like beds and bowls for their furry friends.

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. 

Do you know the area very well or have family/friends that live in the area?

I have a close friend and business partner who vetted them also.

https://www.meetup.com/dfw-flippers-and-funders/Also connecting to investor friendly local  realtors will help as they will themselves do flips as well

My friend @Julio Aguirre is doing quite a few flips on the south side of Chicago right now.  

Even if it takes you a year to pull down your first deal, you are killing it my friend!

Thanks...from all of your REI friends.

At that point I dont know investing would make any sense, I have heard scary stories I was thinking about short term rentals but that needs constant cleaning after guests and conpetition is very high my friend spent almost 200k out of pockets to buy a property for airbnb and he got 17 bookings per year....