I recently shifted my career to focus mainly on real estate investing, so I'll need some help with creative financing as I don't have a standard 9-5 like many others.

Also, your loan will likely be more advantageous as a residential investment property right now.

I’m sort of new myself, I’m working on transitioning from being in the background-ish, as well as working a different area.

Looks like what investors would call a "D class" area.

I am hoping to connect with both investors as well as Real Estate agents in this area to understand the market better ( I have lived elsewhere for the past 10 years) as well as what areas may make most sense and with what strategy. 

BLOC you will get from the big banks like Amex and Chase ..upto 500 k

One more great reason to have a great accountant guiding you like these folks posting above!!

and recommending random markets with lower median prices than Seattle, like Ohio or Alabama or Kansas.  

Trust me, a lot of these people are fools that are fooling you into taking your money, claiming their riches when in reality everything is overleveraged.Like many things in life if it's too good to be true, it's likely too good to be true.

I dont really follow any other type of SM so i have to assume there are other sites that folks post on as well when they are upset with their investment and or who ever is running it.