Several life events have led me to Real Estate Investments because I know this will allow me to fund and donate to research studies for Children's Cancer in the future.My brain is eager to learn more, and my ears waiting to hear from wholesalers, hard money lenders, contractors, and other motivated investors out there!!  

I attended an investor meeting last year and a speaker made a good point about market cycles.

Two nights ago, I attended a meeting in Prince George's County about buy and hold investing as well as managing your own properties.

That means that I spend a lot of my time networking, writing up posts, planning events, and building my knowledge-base. 

@Dave Foster in the refi scenario can you do a cash-out and use the funds for something other than real estate without triggering a tax event?

I frequently attend ones in Falls Church.

I live right down the road from Pensacola, in Destin FL and I also attend the PIG REIA, with JPaul and Corey.  

I plan on attending soon, when I'm not traveling for business.Good luck..  

There is great information in both of those resources.You should also set your keywords so that you will be alerted when a subject of interest is being discussed.Lastly, and most importantly, pick three REIAs and start attending them and networking with other investors.

If you want to find events that are going on in your area be sure to check out the Real Estate Events and Happenings area of BiggerPockets.