Welcome John and Michelle,  I would second Nabil's recommendation on LAREIA and FIBI Pasadena and add the Invest Club for Women (men are allowed),  who alternate between meetings in Irvine and ones in Glendale.  

He had to fight to get back rent payments and find a new tenant.

because if it was joe with a backhoe you are going nowhere fighting with him.

It’s off market and there’s already companies fighting for it so it’s definitely worth a lot.

They are on the decline and fighting to survive.

Wrong.Someone that MUST sell (but doesn't want to sell) will fight it.

A good broker knows who is the best fit for your needs and situation, and should be fighting for you to reach your desired goals.  

Apparently there was either a puppy mill or dog fighting going on here 5 years ago.)

only thing we ever have problems with are fights over deposits.. my version of broom clean usually does not match the tenants  LOL.you need to make sure you are not a slumlord like Morris invest.. a lot of those properties have some serious potential blow back to the buyers who did not realize they were buying a slum house. good insurance good umbrella and be a good landlord dont be a slum lord and its much like the chances of a water landing in a modern jet liner..  

Last Thursday (4-26-18) I attended the free 6 pm Scott and Amie Yancey  workshop at The Doubletree Hotel in Irvine, CA (LA Metro area).