They just built a new hotel and conference center.

IMN conferences. 

Networks could be: local builders exchange, local and regional homebuilders association, search on websites for NAHB, NMHC, ULI, attend real estate meet-ups, attend real estate conferences.

@Cole Hopkins if you want to confer with a local attorney regarding non-conforming use, I would recommend Mark Weeks or Robbie Irvine (North Charleston), John Q.

So within a week I was sitting in a hotel conference room with about 300 other people and about $5K less in my wallet.

We have used them as our back-end reporting layer for 10 years.You would also be wise to confer with a tax attorney.  

If I were there, I would have struck up a conversation with the seller and worked some questions into the flow of the conversation that would clarify if the seller is open to creative acquisition strategies (I would have told the agent that I was going to talk to the seller if the conversation didn't just initiate naturally...don't surprise the agent).If you want to talk to the seller now, after you've left the property, you should go to your agent and ask if she'd be willing to ask the seller if she would participate in a conference call.  

I have a couple people willing to participate in a leadership role.

The auction I went to was a while back, but it was scheduled in a conference room at a Marriott hotel. 

., 4 offices, reception area and conference roomCurrent rent - $650/month2nd Floor: 2 apartments - 700 sq. ft., 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroomCurrent rents - Unit 1: $650/month, Unit 2: $650/month3rd Floor: 1 apartment - 1,600 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 1 bathroomCurrent rent - $800/monthTotal rents: $2,750Includes .26 acre build-able vacant lotInsurance: $4,400/yearTaxes: $12,623/yearAverage Commercial Lease in the area: $13 per sq. ft.