so when I find that first deal I can pull the trigger properly.It's tough getting started here since the barrier to entry is high, which leaves less room for error- at least in my situation, so I'm trying to find that diamond in the rough!

You should definitely check out the Black Diamond meeting in Worcester (alternates monthly with their Waltham location, next Worcester meeting is June).  

The grass is always greener...If you never read "Acres of Diamonds", a short essay written maybe 50 years ago and popularized by Earl Nightengale, take a moment to read it.

Hey @Dan ZaccardiIn addition to going to the BP networking event that I am working to start up, I would also recommend going to the Black Diamond event in Waltham and Chelmsford AREIA event.

My advice is to commit to looking at 3 properties a week, this is how to find the diamond in the rough. 

Going towards Boston there is the Boston Area REIA in Medford and my personal favorite the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham which @Ann Bellamy runs with her partners. 

Yet, the funny fact, we applied this concept unknowingly to our first home purchase in Austin, TX.To further illustrate, our diamond in the rough set the conditions for later successes.

Hi Tony, for the Attorney you may want to try Inessa Shur (Shur Law Group) who is an Eviction Attorney and one of the sponsors of the Black Diamond Real Estate Investors Association. 

This was a diamond in the rough.

I concentrated on homes located in Grid 2, which is from Wellesley to Francis, Market to Crestline.2818 E Diamond is in a slightly inferior location.