Generally speaking, it's best to avoid going for multi-million dollar properties when you're starting out.

Yet I pushed my comfort zone and purposely put myself in situations where I HAD to speak with people I didn't know.  

I closed on my North Andover 2 family a few months ago with an FHA loan and I'm refinancing out as we speak.

You're definitely someone I would be interested in speaking to you at some point in order to gain some insight about your experience as an out-of-town owner.

@Ellie Hanson, I realize, of course, this is not a religious forum but since you wrote this, I feel it should be addressed: What you describe here is called "antinomianism" and the Bible very clearly speaks against this line of reasoning (e.g.

Your professionalism and credit score can speak for you. 

If you struggle to make connections and people are clearing out, wait around for an opportunity to speak with the organizer who will be the last one out the door.

Try to speak with them and really understand your odds.  

I think that one speaks a bit more to the community mind of real estate investors. 

Because I feel like working with wholesalers are a lot easier to talk with than the seller, even though you would still need to speak with the real owner.