I believe there are several RE types of associations that you can join, with REIA WA and REAPS being the largest.

Report: Short Sales, REO Experience Largest Increase in Three Years

@Jeff S.They are funded by one of the largest hedge funds in the world (Blackstone).

You are in California,I would have a property manager advertise the property as a Lease PurchaseFind the largest PM coAsk what fair rent is, and advertise lower than that, I use that as a teaser or base rent or discounted rentFor ex) say market rent is $2000, advertise for $1875in lease it is $1875 IF the rent is paid on or before the 1st, they will earn a discount of $125.Then see a RMLO I use www.SellerFinanceConsultants.comThey approve the credit and income and debt.Charge 4% fee, 1% to RMLOCall me - text first - I train in Lease 2 Own - for pointers in marketing for great buyers.Best Wishes,Brian

If not, what is the largest job you've done? 

That says a lot of good things about Atlanta RE, only problem is finding properties before the "quants" working for the big investors find them.Competition for conventional real-estate listings is particularly fierce in Atlanta, where the six largest institutional buyers own more homes than in any other market, according to RentRange.Oakland, Calif.

You made the first step in connecting on the largest social network specifically for the Real Estate Investing industry.

Mark Schow is a friend of mine who was the head of his state mortgage association, he did thousands of investment loans for "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" clients and was one of the largest reverse mortgage brokers in the country. 

As the largest city in the area, Charlotte is definitely in consideration.

You will find the best deals this way with the largest margins.