Network Network Network (On the fourms, 1:1 coffee/lunch with local investors, agents, lenders, and in-person at local real estate meetups) - Here is local meetups listed in BP:  https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...1. 

I was told to attend networking events.

I could have bought it and arranged to upgrade the panel on Day 1 after we closed but I didn’t feel good enough about taking the risk on a $280,000 deal in the event there was a problem and I had to try to make a claim prior to the repair.

I am wondering if my first steps (past the education part) is to build a network of people who know, like, and trust me through posting content like newsletters, articles, podcasts, doing webinars, going to events (aka build my brand), or, should I first find a deal and then raise capital?

As others have said there is no way for you to access those funds for personal use without taking a distribution which will be a taxable event...3. 

I think I need at least one of these events per month moving forward just to get myself well situated with folks that work in the industry.

Find local events via eventbrite, meetup, and here on BP. 

Your attorney should be able to note all the details surrounding this event, and let you know if you have a good case/stance to sue or not.  

I attended middle school here and spent many years growing up in the area.

They're good to have open access to capital/cash/equity to a property ahead of time so you can execute a deal or purchase when the time comes on a split second decision (versus having to apply to a loan at that time which might take 20-45 days to get approved/closed/etc plus by that time you dont know what your future income/credit/assets will be like in order to qualify anyway).The second use is sleep at night factor and having a reserve of capital in the event an emergency event occurs in life.For these two reasons is why I use lines of credit.