Are you attending REIA mtgs and getting to know others working in your area?  

Attend local real estate investment networking events.

So I kicked the habit - I stopped going to seminars and started to apply some of those ideas that were preached by speakers who were experts at extracting fees from me.I started to attend real estate auctions, studying the process - watching others make a lot of money - I decided to get a credit line - increase my credit card limits and started looking for properties (cheap- ugly buildings) in the neighborhood where real estate auctions were taking place - my primary goal at this time was to learn the market in the area where I wanted to control real estate - I would look at 50-60 houses (but made no offers - when agents would try to qualify me I just said "I have a small inheritance and will not need financing) - I kept a journal of the price per square foot,  comparing properties, and all comments made by sellers and agents (this helped me to find the seller dominate selling motive),  that was helpful - but I soon discovered that I was just looking for real estate in the conventional way  - I needed to do something else - so I started to look for owners of real estate who had problems (I applied Power Prospecting formulas) and at the same time studying creative real estate techniques from the old masters in the industry - became a member of the Washington Real Estate Exchange, hosted a real estate investor club and started to give mini creative financing seminars  while networking with those I wanted to emulate. 

That is really great insight .i knew yonkers and mt vernons school system was terrible,i didnt pay that much thought because my own kids wouldnt be attending in those districts.when the property around you damn near triples you get the green eyed monster and wanna chase it.i will consider a little further north.im preapproved for 525k.but not looking to spend that much by any means.

Both are great speakers & everyone should at least attend once.

I was wanting to see if there was anyone in the Missouri  area that is involved in Real Estate groups or meetings that I could attend.

I am in the Albany area as well, and the best way to meet other investors in our area is to attend an AIN meeting. 

Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.

Read books on investing in real estate, listen to the podcasts, attend webinars and stay active on the forums while connecting with other investors in your area and pick a niche.

I recommend attending some local REIA meeting to start networking.