The best way to connect and learn is to be in rooms where it's going down.In terms of captial your best bet is to focus on a primary income that cash flow sufficiently, saving as much as you can and doing something real estate related so you can get familiar with the industry.

I will now focus my efforts on finding a good GC.

from my advice rural properties and developments aren't successful and you are climbing an uphill battle. sounds a little niche. we focus on developing and not reinventing the wheel. if this is truly what you want to focus all your time and energy on then visit the closest 5-10 of these that look like the ones you are interested and ask if they'd expand or build a secondary one. do a lot of research before you just take action 

I am a current college student and gained interest in real estate as I am working on a project focused on finding ways to expand opportunities for real estate investors.

We are focused on families and want to sleep 10 or more.

I would focus on credit, consider some alternative options to "free your Benjamins" out of your home, or even consider doing a partial sale of your home to give you capital to get back at it!

Even then, you're better off with a Canadian mentor focused on buying in he US.

With just three properties, do you think it’s worth hiring a CPA or tax specialist who focuses on real estate?

We’ve worked together for about 2 years now, and he is focused on the operations side of the business.There are many solid sponsors and operators in this asset class, some newer than us, and some older – and quite a bit of new money coming into this space (part of this is where we are in the market cycle, and other asset classes being overpriced like apartment buildings).I’ve personally had several conversations with @Jefferson Lilly (and met him at a conference), and he knows the space well.

Focus on building cash flow and equity while targeting value-add opportunities to transition into shopping centers and strip malls over time.Good luck!