Unfortunately due to personal reasons, I was not able to attend the event.

This is probably a good question to take to a local real estate broker.

Hey guys,I've been self-managing for 5 or so years now but recently turned over the PM on a couple properties to a local property management in town.

Pick an asset class: Class A, B, C & D properties, research pros & cons, pick one to focus onPick a real estate market that matches your resources & goalsContact local agents & PMC’s to start sending you listings to analyzeAnalyze a few deals weekly, get comfortable with the market and refine what you're looking for

I was the featured speaker with a local group (actually nationally presented) on building energy efficient homes. 

Study the market, get a local group together, and begin small.

Attend meetups and meet as many people in RE as you can.

One that I aim to attend quarterly is Elite Investors.

I'm not sure why your lease would state they have 6 months to catch up (unless that is due to local laws), that's asking for trouble.

It might be tempting to only rely on a local agent and PMC, but nothing beats seeing a new place in person.