Then within the past 10 or 15 years, a few key areas have absolutely exploded with development, bringing in fancy shops and restaurants, nightlife, and housing.

I say - if you cannot find a local meetup - start your own  - it doesn't have to be fancy or anything big - simply met at a coffee shop or someplace where the group can talk like a Denny's or local restaurant and just start tossing some ideas around - don't worry about content so much - you have a group of people in front of you full of content - just start asking how people are doing business - what works for them - what isn't working - investors love telling war stories.  

Ok I made this to long and I am sorry, while I am waiting me and the missus are still shopping at the HUD Home Store (and yes I know its "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, lol, we seen them.

Is there really a method to the madness or is it just shop till you find the lowest possible price?

Well damn, no coffee conversation for us then.

Congratulations Brianna,Welcome to the full time roller coaster life of real estate hahaIf we are ever visiting Chicago I would love to catch up for coffee and talk shop.Thanks for reading and well done once again ;)

Located in the shopping center on the corner of Burnet and Research.

I'm near you in south Nashville so maybe we can have coffee early some morning and discuss.

Coffee/lunch on me! 

We are not big into shopping and don't care much about keeping up with the Joneses, so that takes out the pressure.I really think this is easier and much enjoyable to do because both of us are doing it together.