Anthony Galli with Galli law firm is very landlord friendly and would be able to help or point you in the right direction

first off see if any of them will do land loans..

And you might think about going into contract on some new builds (not buying the land and getting a construction loan - simply going into contract on new builds that will be done whenever). 

If I'm in your shoes I would use this as an opportunity to set the tone with the tenant about how you operate as a landlord! 

Pick which area of CRE you want to go into....so many people seem to specialize these days...either buyer side/seller side/landlord rep or tenant rep.   

I'm also in the process of trying to find a good CPA to create a relationship with to grow my business with.Hopeful to hear fellow STR, or even MTR, investor's stories, what PMS or programs they're using, and how they landed their first property or what they're doing to get into one!

All:Looking to connect with realtors, lenders and other landlords in Columbia, South Carolina.Who should I be talking to?

We really don't want a partner but we have some folks in our network that are willing to help.Ask the sellers if they'd be willing to sell the business but lease the land (try to get a lease to own option) for the first couple years. 

Not landlord friendly with either rent control or talks of rent control. 

I remember purchasing my first rental property and feeling both excited and nervous about the prospect of being a landlord.