You'll also need to convince these buyers you're a real player because we've all had numerous people give us their wholesaler pitch then never hear from the again.

I'd suggest checking out the "communities" tab then scrolling down to events, take a look at the REA's in that area and start networking with the local players.  

I'm considering lending to Hard Money Lenders to i) put some capital to work, and ii) network with other players in my target market (flippers, GCs, attorneys, etc.) that I might work with down the line.As someone still learning the ropes of real estate investing myself, how should I go about vetting potential Hard Money Lenders?

For example, if you don't have the money to redo your entire shower with an automated, 360-degree shower experience, consider replacing the tiling, installing a waterproof mp3 player and in-shower TV screen, and adding a new, high-quality LED shower head.Building a Brand for Your Palm Springs Vacation HomeOnce you've transformed your home into one that's worthy of a luxury clientele, you'll be tasked with branding and presenting your vacation home in a way that's appealing to a wealthier luxury demographic.

Some of the major players in agency never owned an investment property. 

I look at BP and the forums as tools and resources in the same way a baseball player looks at a baseball bat and glove.

I still prefer Skype, but I'm glad that there are a few other players out there now.Anyone else give it a shot?

I'd also check the ads and find the real players and see if they'd let you do some ridealongs.

Like in baseball, other players need to speak up, and some are, about how steroid and PED cheats like Alex Rodriguez taint the game, hurt them professionally and financially and that the game needs to be clean.

I have an issue with making blanket statements like something doesn't work or is a bad idea when every major player in the country is using it consistently to purchase deals.