Id so, I would suggest some of the local real estate groups to start with.

Welcome to the group, Pete:This is a great place to network and seek investment advice.  

I've been hearing the term "REAs" a lot and many investors finding groups in their cities that have helped them extend their RE knowledge but I haven't found any meet groups in my area yet.

I've found my local REIA and another group to network with.

When we were in NJ, it was a great group--lots of great speakers that gave you information instead of selling.  

The HML group was local to the properties they said they could do it then when I really wanted the numbers they backed out yesterday.

There are several groups in the DFW area listed under "Texas Real estate Q&A Discussion" (www.biggerpockets.com/forums/585-texas-real-estate-q-a-discussion-forum)Set up keyword alerts for the cities where you want to invest.

@Skip Gilliam,I'm going suggest taking wisdom from both Marcus Auerbach together in addition to reading up on self-directed retirement accounts and business entities known as "IRA LLCs" and "401(k) LLCs".Quick story to explain the thought:One of the folks in my investing group did a gut-rehab on an upscale home as his first project.

If you don't identify a specific path you are likely to get lost in the information overload, or worse, noise.Since you're local to KC I suggest you join the local REI group MAREI.

And let me invite you to visit the Metrolina REIA group in Charlotte.