Thorough research with a focus on client relationships.

He allowed her to move into his house thinking their relationship would lead somewhere, however she was just a straight up leech stringing him along and didn't want to pursue anything with him.

I will say hello, but have noticed trying to really build relationships with neighbors can be tricky because it makes them feel more comfortable to do things you may not want,  i.e. move your trash bins.

That's what I do in my market to A: learn more about PM, B: increase my income, C: grow relationships with other investors.

I look forward to creating relationships and working together to get deals done.

2 million to raise on a first syndication is going to be interesting unless the relationships are already in place.

In the current market (tons of buyers and lots of liquidity) most wholesalers are working with investors they have an existing relationship with. 

I use Bob myself but if I didn't have a long standing relationship with him, I'd definitely check Matt as other investors in our private club love working with him.

You will learn multitudes more by active experience (whether this be UW, broker relationships, capital raising, etc) vs. listening to podcasts and reading books.

If you don't have a contractor in the area, find a real estate agent that you build a relationship with that can give you referrals.