If not an event, what else could I do to reach out locally to start building these relationships?

There is a famous case in San Francisco a few years ago where a local couple bought the HOA property like sidewalks and streets, in an expensive neighborhood.   

I don't live in a destination location, but it is a place that people from the local area want to be. 

Being totally new to this, I enlisted the help of a local realtor.

Being totally new to this, I enlisted the help of a local realtor.

Purchase price: $400,000 This was an off-market seller financed deal with a local investor who had owned the property for over 30 years!

Does anyone know of any people who have successfully navigated building an ADU on their property locally? 

You can list your property at the local Housing Authority and I think some have an online database of rentals, but we've never used that. 

If you want to meet some great local folks investing in real estate too, check out the meetups forum section for some upcoming real estate gatherings.

Again, talk to the locals—cops, hotel personnel, and restaurant employees—to obtain the inside scoop about the neighborhood.Real estate investing necessitates rigorous attention to detail, which is why property tours are essential for acquiring critical information.