PE Financial Reporting role looking to switch to REPE Need advice!!

Hello folks,

I'm currently working in the top-notch PE firm in nyc but financial reporting role (1 year). Previously I worked at Big 4 RE audit group covering REPE clients and had experiences working on RE valuation,PPA and transactions (2 years) - not building models from scratch but more from an auditing/testing perspective.

I'm looking to switch to REPE and want to work closer to deals/valuation; no more accounting role but understood acquisition is nearly impossible. Would like to know what other options are available to get more exposures to deals/valuation??

I'm not considering obtaining MBA at this point, but taking RE modeling courses, Argus training and networking with RE professionals frequently. Hopefully I can make the move within half year as what I'm doing currently is not going to help with RE experiences (not in RE fund).

Also wonder for those in RE acquisition/AM roles, do you invest deals on side as you have the best resources of industry data, tool, potential deal lead and connections??

Any advice is appreciated! I'm new to this site and sorry for the lengthy note here :)