But if you want to be connected to off market deals and bulk deals, then hit up BP and email someone like me and then use the $1495 to order some property inspections and/or BPO's (real BPO's, lol), take your significant other out for dinner, and keep the remaining $1k in your bank account.

And to some degree "success" rate can be subjective, sort of like asking which apple type do you like best: granny smith or golden delicious.  

I’m hoping to round up a handful of connections and then take a trip that way to meet some people face to face and drive the area with a few people who are willing to show me around in exchange for a free lunch or dinner or both and hopefully a long lasting connection.

Now, the line is blurred here  and as often and purposely misconstrued to dinner Wholesale market usually set up by hateful agents and stuck up closing attorneys and or title companies.

Have an annual meeting with the owners - and expensible dinner.

@SpartanInvestBought our first Turnkey Property in June 2019 (after dinner with @Maureen McCann).

Giving someone advice on what investment strategy to follow without knowing certain things is like picking a stranger's dinner from a menu...every night for years. 

Are there any super delicious places to eat that have animal-less options that we absolutely can't miss out on?

If you have these three things - all three things - then self managing is a winner winner chicken dinner!

I went through through two and picked the second one. we should connect for lunch or dinner sometime.