Attend local real estate investor (REI) meetings and get to know people.

So it probably makes sense to send targeted letters to people who you're most interested in connecting with.Solid advice, thank you.

I think the main thing people would point to as a red flag for Ocala is that it is not a large employment center like Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville and as a result may be more exposed to a pull back in values when there is a downturn. 

Many people do, and they receive homestead on several properties at the same time.

There are also removable barrier fences and alarms that people use instead of permanent barrier fences. 

Also--similar to apps like Facebook and Twitter--I can almost guarantee that a larger pool of people would seamlessly utilize their phones to vote/like and comment on the forums. 

Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to wholesale a relatives $1M home knowing that I am breaking the law if I cross over into doing anything that can be considered representing them in the transaction, and knowing it will only be marketed to people who buy properties wholesale (typically investors who don't want to pay retail prices), instead of the majority of retail buyers active in the market who are typcially willing to pay more. 

The founder appears to have been involved in businesses outside of real estate: ‘My dream is a locally made grooming products business’ | People | nashvillepost.comSo it does not appear there is a lot of track record there, but those are questions I would ask.

Sending threatening communications is not a good way to start a long term relationship with the people who own the home you live in.

I've been in the lending Industry for 20 years, and I feel many people on BiggerPockets give misleading information a lot of times.