I have reached out to a few people from Alabama close to my area via messaging to see if there are any meet ups or something I can participate in!

Brian Spring my personal theory after picking out a provider for both a SDIRA and a couple of years later for a SOLO401K is to take a HARD look at the providers here on BP who participate in these forums.As @Carl Fischer pointed out above, the fees are fairly comparable.

Additionally, to learn the ins and outs of the business, you need to participate in the day to day of the business. 

I would be interested in participating. 

Has anyone with a prop. mgr. been audited and proved that they actively participated in the rental activities and been deemed by the IRS as actively participating? 

By hiding our wealth, refusing to talk about money, bowing to people who get uncomfortable with money talks, and people who accuse us of bragging, we're participating in their enslavement to banks.People actually think thirty-year mortgages are a good thing!

I could have participated, but when I buy something, I consider the exit strategy, so my cash offer was firm.

That I guess is neither here nor there but I participated in a couple of auctions lately and received certificates.

@Sam LLoyd Going off what you had mentioned I was weary of seller assist from the first time I heard of it because as I am a willing participant in such a transaction, it is still difficult to fully understand the process, let alone trying to explain it to someone who is expecting a traditional sell.  

They actively strategize with the PM on purchases (with or without financial participation by the broker), capital improvements, and any significant issues.