I would like to make it to one of those events, but I don't feel like an investor meet up/event needs to have a door or member fee, makes it feel like it is being done for all the wrong reasons.

There's a TON of online feedback about the city as we just hosted the NFL Draft and shattered the Nashville attendance record:)We can also show you where there's a committed $3.5B in investment in Detroit. 

I'd recommend attending local real estate meetups where you can talk to other OC investors who buy locally or OOS.

Look for a Dave Ramsey Financial Freedom class and maybe even attend it with your girlfriend.

However, you are going to want to attend as many local meet ups in your market as possible.

Attend meetups and meet as many people in RE as you can.

By the way, I'll be attending my first few "Open Houses for Investors" in Detroit this month.

I think two trends converge simultaneously here, first is the interest rate hike (due to covid) and open AI announcement in 2022 ; both events are just accelerating the inevitable. 

You can accept the bid, and then talk this through with the cleaner to adjust the price and making sure all your demands will be attended professionally.

Find some in your area to attend and meet people.