Are there specific networking events, online platforms, or strategies that have proven effective for building relationships with investors?

Popup Meetup, LinkedIn, Facebook Groups and other online platforms can be helpful in this endeavor.

A lot of people in this area are commuters, which means their income isn't tied to the fate of the coal industry.

The income from the property more than covers the bank financed mortgage and the repayment of the down payment to the seller which I proposed to make monthly payments on. 

Invest in knowledge2.Save 20% of income for future investments 3.

@John Doyle No.Passive income is taxed at a lower rate.It does not qualify for use making 401k or SEP IRA contributions, nor would it make sense to change it from passive income to higher taxed earned income that would qualify to be used as plan contributions.

I think it depends on goals and experience, section 8 is a good guaranteed income, air bnb or short term will have higher rents but you will have more monthly expenses (cleaning, internet, lawncare) student housing is another option, and then good old LTR.

Solid market for low income investors, cash flow investors, Section 8 investors, that type of thing.

I been looking at some properties online, would you guys say this is a good deal or not?

Plan was a long term hold as a short term rental.Step 2 - the plan to fund this project was through the sale of another property and monthly income/savings.