One of the perks of the program are the loan terms, which are a fantastic tool for RE investors.

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-california-high-housing-prices-20160414-story.htmlThe California Association of Realtors has predicted a mass exodus out of the Bay Area this year, either to more affordable surrounding counties (Sacramento and the Central Valley) or out of California all together:http://la.curbed.com/2016/3/4/11161626/california-housing-costs-migrationBoomers who are sitting on a ton of equity realize they can move out of the Bay Area to retire to live like a king somewhere in the Midwest and purchase their house cash, and Millennials are entering their prime "settle down" years and think $650k for a 1950's tract home is a joke and they can't afford it even if they wanted it.But, they can move to Sacramento and buy a $350k remodeled home in a nice area with great school districts and raise their newborn children.

The more specific the better.The easiest way to get into that conversation is just find a time when she is bored and ask her if she would be willing to sit down and listen to you and ask her POLITELY!

I started on my first "test run" and quickly realized I', clueless as to insurance costs, or even trash pick up (Republic doesn't  seem to have street pick-up rates listed on their sight).However, unless your pro you only get 5 turns on the "toys", so maybe practice with this one www.biggerpockets.com/tools/REIPropertyAnalyzer.xls-- then you can also figure % for maintenance and/or capex (older house, higher%, new home...)Have fun!

No political discussions please.

I myself am a brand spanking new investor and I feel that attending these things if possible would be a great opportunity for new and old investors alike to pick up a tip or two that could add some value and new tools to their repertoire. 

Throw the address into the city assessor's online lookup tool.

Using the calculators/tools on BP will prove very valuable as I look for deals in my area.

If you are refinancing an investment property the two main tools that investors use are conventional lending or portfolio lending.  

However, so far they have been polite, on time, respectful, organized, and have cleared all the application screening questions.