My plan is to continue my real estate education for the next 3 months, and in the meantime I would like to set up weekly coffee/lunch meetings with local professionals and like minded Real Estate Investors to grow my Network.  

I don't qualify for standard financing so this feels like it's my only option.

Make sure you meet all the criteria for the loan well in advance to better your chances.  

You'll likely have to create/modify a standard buyer commission agreement.

I am looking forward to meeting/working with fellow real estate investors here on Bigger Pockets.

Actually, they're on the way back tonight to meet me to sign the agreement.  

Nothing like that adrenaline rush from spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in a go ;)I like to meet my potential tenants in person after screening, start building trust and making sure I'm not a faceless bank account to them.

any help is appreciated and I think it would be really helpful to discuss more at the Portland BP meeting if possible. 

You may have to reconsider your approach to renovations.Looks like we're neighbors...feel free to PM me if you ever want to chat or meet up for coffee, I'd be happy to talk.

There is a group that meets in Upper Marlboro run by Sherman Ragland.