I want to build more connections and improve my networking skills.

Your journey so far sounds impressive - developing strong analysis skills, building relationships with brokers and industry experts, and even securing potential sponsors is no small feat.

Unless your confident with that type of transaction, it's a whole different skill set.  

You want to find what exactly is bothering you as accurately as possible, then ask if you have the skill to make it better or do you have the tenacity to fix it through gaining the knowledge or farming that pain out to someone else.Now you can weigh the pros and cons Ben Franklin style.

If the meetup is directly related to growing your side business or improving your skills, expenses like registration fees, transportation, and meals may qualify as tax-deductible business expenses.

welcome to bp, your sentiment around leverage is 100% correct, and I'd challenge you to follow your own advice and use that leverage to put as little as possible into the real estate rather than the coveted "pay cash for it" or while one can pay cash, utilizing your w2 to refinance is a unique skill and ability you can have.house hacking in the mid west is where its at for sure.

By the end of my first year, I'd completed 10 deals and earned $73k.In 2018, I stumbled upon Todd Toback and his acquisition skills models.

I also have marketing skill and tech skills.

Most simply don't have it and or also have very limited sales and closings skills ..

You'll need to work with an agent who specializes or has some skill in this and who understands investing.