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We see teaching revolving around more sophisticated strategies, but the basics of financial literacy are missing.

EDDIEWILSON

So, we need education on all the alternative classes (i.e., mobile homes, self-storage, residential assisted living, short-term vacation rentals, land development, modular housing, small commercial, and nearly a doz- en others). These areas of investment are rarely taught, but based on the region where the investor is located, these alternative classes could be extremely lucrative. Many of them have a much lower barrier to entry. FINANCIAL LITERACY Another area that needs teaching is financial literacy and investment philosophy. Most of the early real estate education was first taught with new financial literacy parameters. Some of the early teachers would start by creating a mindset of financial freedom. They would speak of how your passive or active cash-flowing asset should pay for your monthly expenses to grant you independence from a job or other responsibilities. This is rarely taught now. We see teaching revolving around more sophisticated strategies, but the basics of financial literacy are missing. PASSIVE INVESTING The last area I will speak about is passive investing into syndicated deals or funds. Due to celebrities in our space who push these opportunities, new investors will jump straight into them and may not be ready. They have never been taught how to vet the deals or viability of the investment. They may be accredited by status but still do not know the major factors for due diligence. I have seen hundreds of investors struggle after mak- ing investments in these types of strategies too early. They limit their growth because they never take a more

basic step first. Because much of this type of investing is pushed by influencers, I do not believe people will change course, so they must be educated to make better deci- sions. This is critical! In addition to the ones highlighted here, there are many other areas where practical and current education is needed. I hope some of you seasoned investors will take the challenge and reach back to others to help them along the way. I hope that someone reading this will be challenged to begin the process of leaving breadcrumbs for others, just as someone has most definitely left them for you. If you are a new real estate investor, I hope you also read this list and rededicate yourself to finding someone who teaches and practices the education they push. Be aware of their track record and activity. Make sure they teach fundamentally sound principles of wealth genera- tion and financial literacy first and foremost. As a third-generation real estate investor, I hope to see my children doing the same someday. I also hope that what they do not learn as I pass down my own experiences can be filled by generous and authentic teachers who are willing to help everyone share in the true American Dream. • An entrepreneur and visionary by nature, Eddie Wilson’s widespread interests have led to successful ventures across the globe, from operating nonprofits and owning an ad agency that worked with well-known household brands, to investing in hundreds of real estate projects and building a nationally syndicated radio show. Today, he guides AAPL and Think Realty with his marketing, funding, and real estate investing knowledge to ensure their establishment as the premier organizations in their sectors. Wilson graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in broadcast sales and marketing. He also studied marketing at Georgia Tech and business management at Emory University.

14 | think realty magazine :: march – april 2022

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