Basically, what these guys did to some of our Real Wealth Network members allegedly is:- GEG showed RWN some of the properties they had renovated and leased out to prove their business model- They told our members via a webinar that they buy, renovate and sell rental properties below market value to investors with 8% cash flow- They said they offer non-recourse financing at 50% LTVIn reality, GEG sold properties that were not always renovated - even if the price point reflected a renovation.

If you are just looking to network I would go the route of meetups locally (you can check above at the toolbar, hoover over forums then to the right you have events and meetups.If you are looking to wholesale and build a list of buyers that fix and flip for deals you may have then I would pull lists from 3rd party sites like Property Radar or propstream.

@Amol KulkarniRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

If you’re looking to invest in your backyard, it helps to network with as many locals in the industry as you can.

You're still leveraging his network/connections/professional experience.

100% leverage, which is what it sounds like you're proposing, is high risk.true private money IMO is someone already in your network - your uncle, your dentist. 

I'd like to network with lenders, realtors and experienced house flippers.Thanks in advance and Happy new years!

There are great meetups in CT from @Brandon Rush, @Ryan Luby, @Stephanie Cabral, @Devin Peterson, and CTREIA if you want to network with the CT real estate community. 

I’ve met several investors in the area and I’m always interested in expanding my network and talking with others in the REI space.  

Plus, if you'd like to connect and talk marketing/sales happy to do coffee or something.Also, there are tons of Facebook groups for Chicago real estate.Lastly, just doing some 1:1 networking with lenders, agents, and architects is something we focus heavily on.