This is a good question.I found that meetups are kind of like you described not much really happens there and for sure REIAs and their monthly meeting kind of the same people talking about the same thing then bring in ( at least what i have seen with the PDX reia) folks that are presenting on things that worked decades ago.. and want to sell their stuff for a few grand.For me personally the best networking hands down was SF Bay Area events  San Jose Reiaand LA  FIBI events.folks in those markets are very real estate centric and generally more experienced and in San Jose so many tech folks that have done really really well.. maybe not in RE but have done great in TECH and have quite a bit of bandwidth for investments..

Just like they're selling mega cap and tech.

We have positive net migration, and a robust industry (tech, aerospace, agriculture, financial, etc.) that keeps demand for homes high.

I’m a serial entrepreneur with experience in the tech and food distribution industries, now diving into real estate investment to build cash flow and long-term equity.

.✔ Networking: Target high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), real estate groups, and doctors/lawyers/tech professionals looking for passive cash flow.3.

All complimented with Amazon fulfillment centers, google, and more tech manufacturing jobs.The bad reputation of “Detroit” comes from OOS investors wanting sub $40,000, D class properties in poor condition, because they pencil out to 2-3% deals on paper.

I've been seeing stuff about great apps and tech that make things easier and almost seem doable. 

Quote from @Joy Daniels: As a short-term property manager I've seen how this industry changes so often—new guest trends, tech tools, and regulations seem to pop up all the time.

This year, I’m committed to creating balance in my life, letting faith guide my decisions both personally and professionally.In my real estate journey, I combine my tech background with a passion for community-centered development.

If you decide to self-manage, you’re in a good position to succeed, especially with the right tech and team in place.