When I get a colleague request from someone, most of the time, its accompanied with a message so I know first who they are, and second why they are reaching out specifically.But sometimes, I get a colleague request from a name I know nothing about... not sure if they reached out related to a forum post, or if they want to pitch me on something that I may or may not be interested in.Kind of reminds me of LinkedIn, where my approach has always been I don't connect with any random person, only those that I have either met in person, or have interacted with in some business sense.

I love my day job, from the client interactions to the challenge of finding solutions to business problems.

I have long listen to the bigger pockets podcast and have since decided it's my time do make the big jump to start here on the forum and interact with like minded individuals who are passionate in REI!

Below are a few more thoughts on pros/cons.Pros: If you're new to real estate in general, you'll learn the mechanics of RE transactions, the governing laws and the key participants and services that support a transaction.You will interact with other realtors that may help accelerate your understanding of the market values and dynamics you're working in. 

It was a very odd interaction and I have never dealt with this company prior or since.

All of these folks have to interact in a timely fashion, and then the whole project has to not raise your PITI beyond the "self sufficiency" guidelines of the loan. 

If you start putting many hours a week into directly interacting with the property, that could be viewed as providing services.

(DD) "Distance education" means courses required by divisions (B)(6) and (G) of section 4735.07, divisions (F)(6) and (J) of section4735.09, and division (A) of section 4735.141 of the Revised Code in which instruction is accomplished through use of interactive, electronic media and where the teacher and student are separated by distance or time, or both.

Respond to posts or make your own for the sake of creating interactions and making contacts.

Again, the BiggerPockets store has some books for this or you can learn by watching podcasts, reading blogs, and interacting on the forum.