Your quickest way to get traction is to connect with locals and meet them face to face.

I am a member of Traction REIA and just joined the Baltimore REIA last night.  

Robert Kiyosaki recommends having stable cashflow from an income source before investing, I'm still looking for traction.

@Jenn Kinchen Networking with professionals in the industry, marketing directly to the owners (calling and mailing), and establishing yourself as the go to player in your market for bigger deals is gaining some traction for us. 

I get very little traction on Craigslist but I don't repost it every 5 minutes to stay front and center.I do find FB good for getting a gauge on competition.

I would recommend reading Traction, by Gabriel Weinberghttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591848369/He surveys how a lot of different startups got traction via different channels, and provides a framework for how to generate more traction.  

I am a member of the Traction REIA and think its a great meet up - just don't take your wallet haha.

Why don't you wait until you gain some traction in real estate?

That part of Vermont should garner you some great tenants, relatively cheap 3-4 family properties and be within easy reach for personal attention.There is a REIA meeting trying to gain some traction in your area as well.  

Glad this is getting some traction.