association or meet-up group. There you’ll find many other like-minded investors who are more than willing to share their knowledge and provide referrals to credi- ble learning systems and educators. And it won’t cost you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. The price to attend a typical real estate investors association meeting is nominal, and you’ll find an even better value in an annual membership, which will provide you with access to a rich cache of source material as well as educational speakers, training and discounts from major-brand vendors. There also are online sources—Bigger Pockets is the best-known—that offer valuable networking opportunities with other investors who have first-hand knowledge of the strategy you want to pursue. Now there also is ThinkRealty.
com, which goes beyond networking and archived information and also offers its members buying power, legal advocacy assistance, admission to multiple real estate investor expos and a global conference, plus a subscription to this magazine. Aside from those who are more than willing to share their advice with you for the price of a cup of coffee, you can connect with more-experienced inves- tors who will take you under their wing, some for a fee and others in return for your efforts toward their deals’ success. Of course, even these resources aren’t without their share of bad actors. So how do you separate the good from the bad? When evaluating potential mentors or educational program providers, ask yourself these questions:
• Does he or she “walk the walk” or simply “talk the talk”? Is this person an investor who is actively practicing the strategy being touted? • How long has he or she been in business? What are the results of his or her deals? Independently verify the person’s claims. • What do former students or business associates say about this person? Does the program actually work? Check online reviews. Ask for references and call them yourself. • What about his or her business practices? Is the program ethical and legal? Check with the Better Business Bureau, look for certifica- tions and review public records. • How much does the program cost? Beware of hidden fees, or a bait- and-switch scheme, in which you are drawn to an event for a small fee (or none at all), only to be upsold into a pricey program that’s available “today only.” • Do you have recourse if the program does not produce the promised re- sults? Can you get your money back? Finally, beware of those claiming to of- fer the key to overnight success. Anyone who’s truly on the up-and-up will tell you that real estate investing is no get- rich-quick undertaking but rather more like a marathon. It takes commitment and dedication—long hours, hard work, plus a recognition that this is a lifelong process. The learning never stops, no matter how experienced you become. • EddieWilson is president of Affinity Enterprise Group, parent company of Think Realty, a hub of investor resources for its members, including networking, events, buying power, legal advocacy and a growing archive of valuable information and expert advice. For more information, visit www.ThinkRealty.com
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