Have you exploited your sphere of influence?

Don't underestimate your sphere of influence, local investor meetups, and becoming active on bigger pockets. 

If you are still looking for guidance on OZ's feel free to shoot me a PM.

Start with your inner spheres of influence and work your way out.

Funding for this activity is also being supported by bigger and bigger banks which have started lending in the flipping sphere again. 

You might look at becoming an agent if you have enough of a "sphere" out here.

In terms of motivation on how to succeed as an agent, the books I would recommend to get started is 7 Levels of Communication by Michael Maher because it will help you figure out how to work your own sphere and vendors without spending money.

Let me give you a couple of examples.From 1998 to mid 2002 gold spot prices were less than $300/oz.

Any advice on how I should contact my sphere and let them know I am now in RE?

I've reached out to my sphere of influence, done direct mailings and trying to do cold calls.