We'll need to lock down a venue, I've recently went to a meet up that was poorly put together and was more of a sale pitch. 

Remember when you call that you are doing this to get a property, but you also legitimately want to help him.

Since my original post I have explored a few different Turnkey outfits and all seem to be legitimate and offer a different product for each buyers preference. 

Legitimate inspection times, legitimate financing issues, etc don't hurt anyone's credibility.

Attending the RI REI is very informative and a phenomenal venue for networking.

I want to do business with a legitimate business so that a lasting business relationship could be formed.  

I could lose a decent chunk of rents and still meander along, break even, keep paying down the mortgage, lose money on paper, etc.All of that side, I think there's a material difference between thinking there is going to be a cyclical correction and a legitimate "crash". 

If I purchase this property could I make it into a legitimate duplex if the property is zoned for it? 

Not so much in the east valley though but those venues do bring in a lot of tourists so keep that in mind.  

Like you I was looking for RE networking venues and I'm going to attend the CFRI (Central Florida Realty Investors) general meeting on April 9th (Meeting Schedule).