Randy I am afraid rates will go up a bit after Powell's press conference as he may indicate that they are likely going to pause on fed funds rate cuts. 

My best advice is to meet your lenders face-to-face at real estate clubs, conferences, or other professional events.

Its also a good idea to build relationships with realtors, contractors, insurance agents, real estate attorneys, and property managers in your area so take advantage of events, conferences, and meetups.

Found mine while attending a real estate/small business tax conference.

We’ve worked together for about 2 years now, and he is focused on the operations side of the business.There are many solid sponsors and operators in this asset class, some newer than us, and some older – and quite a bit of new money coming into this space (part of this is where we are in the market cycle, and other asset classes being overpriced like apartment buildings).I’ve personally had several conversations with @Jefferson Lilly (and met him at a conference), and he knows the space well.

We went to a bigger pockets conference to get us started. 

I was at a local (Bay Area) REI conference a few weekends ago and Brian Burke (CEO) spoke.

As for resources and connecting with other investors, take advantage of BiggerPockets through books, podcasts, articles, meetups and/or conferences! 

I had a brief F2F with Ivan a couple weeks ago when I ran into him at a conference in FLorida.

Great tips @Collin HaysAnother "tip" is make sure you are working with a seasoned STR Realtor or your Realtor is conferring with someone like Collin a season STR Property Manager.At least once a quarter someone contacts me (as a PM) and either wants management or wants my opinion on a property and the property is illegally zoned or otherwise unsuitable for STR, although their Realtor is telling them otherwise.