Specifically, I used LinkedIn Sales Navigator (month trial) to connect with many local agents, wholesalers, investors, and various other REI professionals.

The truth is, you could read 100 books and still not know enough because certain things need to be learned through trial-and-error.

An eviction for lease violations has a greater chance of ending up in a trial.

I have gained a very deep understanding of how to play the game of 1-4 units through reading and listening to books and trial and error.

I recommend starting locally and if you intend to owner finance and would eventually like to cash out of that, you can offer up those notes for sale too to recoup capital.As far as meeting contractors, it is often trial and error until you find the right subs for each trade (assuming you act as GC and sub it all out individually) which you should on mobile homes as they are not that complicated.

Trial and error, and hard lessons learned (usually). 

By trial and error, we have learned about housing authority, property management, syndication with investors, wholesale acquisitions, broker relationships, and how to force appreciations in 6 – 12 months.

I cannot testify to their accuracy and reliability but they both offer free/cheap trials.

Learning is full of trial and error, and huge checks written to colleges and universities, for the purpose of the formal education, which in the end you will learn anyway, simply in the school of hard knocks.

Learn through trial and error.