For starters, tune in to the BiggerPockets podcast and connect with local lenders and brokers.

Better to make connections on here or a local real estate group. 

I am a local agent here in SLO and also own an investment property in the area.

I am looking to get into tax liens locally for commercial properties, Chicago metro area only for now.

Local Market: Investing in your local market can be advantageous because you're familiar with the area, which can make property management easier.

Upon seeing this name again, I looked it up online and found that the person it belonged to had a number of articles from our local news station for a number of crimes, to include forgery, identity theft, impersonation, etc. 

I have been reaching out to potential sellers for the past few weeks in my local market.

I am also trying to replace my salary with cash flow so that I can just spend my day teaching people how to fly at my local airport. 

If it’s Amazon they have the option to have the packages delivered to lock boxes at local stores, delivered to their work, or pick them up at certain locations.

Find a local meetup, REIA, or group teaching how to run the numbers.