Is there another way to scale at a more accelerated pace?

Would suggest to have your qualifications and to work with a quick paced agent to assure offers are going in to have a chance getting your offers accepted.

I also coordinate a monthly happy hour for informal networking (no agenda or anything).

What themes should be on the agenda?

I am from Indianapolis, IN so I have been back and forth about purchasing a SFR or Multi (house-hack) for here in LA (i'm currently renting DTLA) vs. purchasing several properties back in Indy (being that I know the market well and currently own one SFR that is cash flowing and appreciating at a steady pace). 

My long commute for work is totally worth it for me because when I get home I highly value the open space and slower pace. 

This is one of those questions where a closely reasoned, convincing argument could be made in support of almost any outcome...My own 2 cents for the short term is its likely one more constraint on the Fed to keep their tightening on its current pace rather than accelerate.

.  ;-)Today's Newspaper***********************************"Metro Phoenix homebuilding hits decade high"New houses are going up in the Phoenix area at the fastest pace in 10 years, and prices are climbing faster than they have in five years.Buyers are again heading to Valley suburbs farther out to find houses they can afford.By the building numbersMore than 1,950 new houses sold Valleywide in May, and the pace of sales for the year is 18 percent ahead of last year, Belfiore Real Estate Consulting reports.May was the best month for new house sales in metropolitan Phoenix since March 2008, according to RL Brown’s Phoenix Housing Market Letter.Brown reports the median new house price in the Valley is up almost 3 percent from last year to $330,000.

If you are below-market you are well within your rights and being fair by keeping your rent in pace with the competition.

That always sets buyers on the back foot3) New inventory is coming along at a faster pace especially new home construction Along the same lines I have spoken to a few people who were on the sidelines, and they are now buying new primary homes given this drop in pricesThe price drops in isolation does not bother me.