I always hear about meeting local investors but I'm not quite sure how to take that next step, or if I even should.

@MikeYoung are you going to any of our local Real Estate Investors meetings?

You may need to buy 2-3 homes commercially to meet their minimum loan size criteria depending on the bank.

See if there is a local meet up and start networking among investors.  

Glad to join the community.

Also network as much as you can to meet new people who are actively doing what you want to get into.

It doesn't quite meet the 50% rule but I'm paying it off in 15 years instead of 30 and I could always re-fi or get a HELOC to get some of my cash out if a major expense like a roof or something popped up. 

BP has lots of information on that, but also go to Meetup.com and search for "Real Estate Investing" in Tampa, there are lots of groups that meet all the time.

Networking with experienced investors near you here https://www.biggerpockets.com/meet would be the best way to find a potential mentor.

Would you like to meet?