I live one town over...I was looking there pretty often found some great deals but wasn’t ready to pull the trigger.

Is this in a town by town basis that I should ask my town hall where my building is? 

When are you going to town?

Beware of declining midwestern towns. 

The moderators prefer we not dialogue too much in the general forums about local meetups around town to cut down on clutter and help curtail advertising in the general forums.That said, I facilitate a subgroup specifically for newer investors as part of our local real estate investor's association AZREIA.

I only commented because the OP is a personal friend from my town. 

So I paid no closing cost.Talk to your mortgage/lender folks about down payment assistance and even check to see if the town you live or are buying in has any kind of first time home buyers program.

Control 5 houses with 20% down. $80000 mortgage  in 10 years the payoff is $65000. $163000-$65000= $98000 x 5= $490000.

Does anyone know of places there are meet ups in this part of town?

This gives you sole control and you know yourself and your objectives.