@Damon Yates I would suggest looking for local REIA meetings or local meetups via BiggerPockets. 

He explained that was one of the reasons he wanted to meet face to face.

What about attending sales meetings, going to company training events, phone duty, etc.There is a slight chance that your local MLS might allow you to join as an individual once you renew your license but that is rare from what I’ve heard and varies state to state.

You can also go to a local REIA meeting and meet up a bunch there likely.

There is the offer, approval, inspection, inspection release, survey (this is a big part of what slows things down--NY does warranty deeds and banks require a recent survey, and there are only so many surveyors, so it can take awhile), title search, title defect curatives, clear to close approval from the bank (and this generally has to go through some committee that meets once a week or less), scheduling close. 

Looking forward to chatting with everyone here, and meeting some other fellow BP'ers from Buffalo! 

Looking for others in this area to meet and discuss real estate.

I'm looking to meet like-minded folks who can share experiences and advice.

With the above, finding the right opportunity and doing your numbers should go without saying, and finding the ROI that meets or exceeds your goals should be what you work toward. 

I’m pretty sure I can get them down on the price and will definitely meet the 1% rule.