Since we have similar interests and are currently living in the same area, let’s connect via message or over a meal sometime and discuss opportunities and strategies.

Are you going to put all 5 meals on the same bill?

This way you do not have to scramble to get funds, better to load upfront then to piece meal and not have enough if anything needs to be done.

F.e. if it's a group of people, gather them for drinks and appetizers, if it's a single HNW individual meet them over a meal if possible4) to be at the right time - to meet with your potential investorsBottom line, just like it takes a while to build a track record, it takes as much time if not longer to build the relationships with your investors.

Can I claim the mileage,  hotel stays and meals from 2018 eventhough the property will not be purchased until a few days from now?

Neither is necessarily better, the meal needs to be cooked one way or the other.

Go to real estate investment meet ups, have one on one meetings with investors (treat them out for a meal or coffee, their time and knowleedge in the long run will be worth way more than a 30 dollar meal).  

The money you will earn from real estate investing from the tips of a pro will be well worth the money you will spend (or invest) on a meal!

Before I go into a tangent and write a book it must be understood that real estate finance isn't something that can be learned piece meal.

My biggest takeaway is to have a plan for meals until the kitchen is complete - not that difficult, slow cooker, air fryer, instant pot makes it easy.