I'll be at the Black Diamond event this month.

I'm learning a lot from this forum, the podcasts and just recently from the first Black Diamond Real Estate meeting here in Waltham that I attended.I'm looking for mentors in all fields.

My personal favorite is the Black Diamond event in Waltham every other month (Alternates each month with their other location in Worcester, just had this months meeting so the next Waltham one is in May). 

Cash, check, personal property, a boat, or a diamond ring would be examples of possible earnest deposits that might be used.

I bought a "diamond in the rough" personal residence in 2004, and sold it for $55k more in 2010, and no, I did not make any changes other than painting and carpeting.

you could probably find some more info on meetup.com.Around Boston I can tell you that you should get out to the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham.  

(Made up example: I like to put diamond plate on the walls because that stuff in indestructible.)

Local to you check out the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham and you can look into the Boston Area REIA in Medford.  

As you've probably seen, there's a wealth of free information here on BP in the forums and also the podcasts are great.I also recommend getting out to a local real estate investor group/association, such as the RI Real Estate Investors Group (rireig.com) or Black Diamond Real Estate Investors (blackdiamondrealestateinvestors.com).And of course if you have specific questions you're welcome to post them to the forums too :)

You may have found a diamond in the rough.