i'd join facebook groups for your local area and figure out where the REI meet ups are.

I'd love to find a crew for less that does equally good work or course!

In general I'd not suggest the above regarding "contributing" to utilities. 

If you’re experienced in rental properties or note investing , I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Although not a an Airbnb Expert as I once was but from making good money on airbnb in the early years and being a landlord most my life.Keeping it Simple.

The easiest way to find and connect with wholesalers is either bigger pockets or by googling "sell my house fast in (town name)" although that may cost them a click for google ads.

If my main goal was cash flow, I'd sell all my properties, except one and put the money into index funds/stocks - cash flow has been great the past 3 years.

Financing Strategies – I’d like to put 15%–20% down—what’s the best way to secure a loan with manageable terms?

Aside from the podcasts and books, I’d also recommend attending some networking events.

Then I'd push those factors out if there were no good comps.  2 miles, 6 months.  2 miles 12 months , etc.It takes some local knowledge to know when you're pushing those parameters out too far to be useful.