I am struggling to find distressed properties with motivated sellers and it has led me to waste a lot of time researching with no success. 

Actually, it was stumbling upon @John Fedro articles via Google searches that led me to discover Bigger Pockets awhile back.

It's even more if they are specialty bulbs like the globe bulbs in bathrooms, LED bulbs, flood lights, etc.I suggest you keep it simple and factual. 

I previously led acquisitions for a large sponsor up until March of this year when I started a new company.

This has led to some healthy improvements in a deal once under contract to close.

I’m not sure how the housing market works when it comes to cost of homes supply and demand, but what led to my decision was the unemployment claims that almost tripled what was expected.

I led one of these meetups in Manhattan Beach in person until Covid hit, then we went all virtual.FIBI has great meetups in El Segundo and Pasadena.I'd skip the REIA meetups for now, they're not focused on multifamily.

Before I point to something that stops the trend of this past year, I need to be able to point to something that has led to the rent growth we've seen this past year and all I can point to right now are temporary unemployment/stimulus.

Could be wrong but that was my thinking which led me not to move forward with the idea.

Budget cuts led to the police force being reduced and as a result crime spiked.However, I’ve seen very promising signs over the past couple years.