You're about to discover the "skinny" on real estate investment clubs. From how they operate, to what to watch out for as well as how to optimize your experience at the club meetings. Plus, you'll learn how to locate the club nearest you. This is information you'll probably hear nowhere else because I come from an unbiased perspective. I don't run my own local club, but I know some who do. I have also seen over a lifetime of experience, the good, the bad and the ugly of real estate investor clubs.
There are definitely pros and cons and the follow training will unveil those to you. So whether this is potentially your first introduction to the concept of clubs related to real estate investing or if you have faithfully attended them from years, before you attend your next meeting, make sure you watch the following video from start to finish.
Are Real Estate Investor Clubs a Productive Use of Your Time?
Real estate investment clubs have been around for decades and most are non-profit associations whose members gather together monthly to share ideas and network with other investors and real estate professionals in their area. You can find them all across the country, with the larger cities having much larger groups, or even multiple clubs throughout the city. On the surface, real estate investor clubs can seem like the ideal place for meeting and connecting with fellow local investors. However there are some things you need to watch out for and some rules you will want to follow in order to optimize your networking experience.
My Experience
When I first began my real estate investing journey, I attended every monthly real estate investment club meeting I could. But I soon discovered, that the most successful investors in my area were not attending these meetings. As I began to look around, wondering where they all were, I started to notice a few things about the other attendees around me. It was then that I realized that the majority of the people present at those gatherings were beginners just like me and getting tips and ideas from them was like the blind leading the blind!
Some Good Advice
I soon learned something very important after talking with an experienced and successful local investor. He told me that the reason he did not attend a local real estate investing club was because he did not want to share his business secrets. It did not make sense to him to take time out of his busy schedule to create local competitors.
Instead, he chose to join a community of top investors from across the country to network and share ideas with. Because he works with investors all over, he is not creating local competition.
A Lucky Break
While what this successful investor told me made complete sense, I was fortunate enough to catch a break in my early years of attending real estate investor club meetings. I found a great hard money lender and terrific closing company that helped me close some of my first creative deals. Those two contacts alone made it all worth the time and effort I spent in my club member days.
I have spent many years mentoring thousands of real estate investors from all across the country and witnessing their experiences with investment clubs. Because of this, I have developed two simple rules for dealing with real estate investor clubs:
Rule # 1 - Loose Lips Sink Ships:
Pay close attention to what other members are saying, and feel free to ask questions. It's OK to collect ideas from others but resist sharing your own ideas. That might sound counter-intuitive and is the opposite of what many others teach, but it's the truth. The spouting whale gets the first harpoon.
When you share your good ideas and learning lessons at a local investment club meeting, you are empowering the competition. On a national level, it actually helps you tremendously. The students in our program benefit greatly from others in the group because everyone is scattered across the country. If someone takes and applies your ideas to their market, it does not effect your market.
Rule # 2 - Network Strategically:
If you attend a local club meeting know what type of vendor you are looking for; whether thats a hard money lender, closing company, mortgage broker, or real estate agent. Center your attention on locating and networking with just those vendors that are critical to your business. Aimless networking may eat up your time with people that arn't a good fit for helping your business. It could even prevent you from reaching the most important players in the room.
Real Estate Investment Clubs CAN BE a Productive Use of Time When Used Correctly
If you follow those two rules while attending meetings you will be using your time wisely and beneficially. Try to spend your time listening, and networking with the right people. Listening to other's experiences and failures, can even teach you "What not to do". But don't expect to learn everything about real estate investing, because most members are novices just like you. If there are successful real estate investors in the room, most likely they'll stay tight lipped, and you should too.
If you are interested in finding a local club I have compiled a list of clubs throughout the United States.
Real Estate Investment Club Locator
I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with your local Real Estate Investment Clubs. Did you find them to be a productive use of your time? Or were you disappointed in the plethora of inexperienced investors? Feel free to share in the comment section below.
LaQueece Vinson says
Amazing info! Thank you!
J m says
I agree with your writings.
Kim B says
Hi Phil,
Have read your first book several times and love it. It is so inspiring. The videos are amazing as well. I always think to myself that I would like to get a peek at that “business plan napkin” you keep on your desk! Is it posted anywhere?
Thomas F Doyle Jr says
I’ve read most of your book I’m a little guy with an open mind . I just don’t know where to look for information on wholesale and per foreclosure I’d like this to be on my napkin business plan
Mitch says
Oh boy. I’ve gone to several RE Investment clubs in California, and each time I come away with the same feeling. At meetings of over 100 people, there’s usually a little bit to learn. Often at larger meetings, some RE attorneys, CPAs and hard money lenders are in attendance, and you can get some valuable information from them by just chatting. Also, a few hustling realtors are also there. Some and only SOME of the realtors would be good to know.
But the mass of attendees are just newbie realtors or maybe somewhat experienced, just like me, and they bring little to the table. I wouldn’t dream of telling them where and how I’m getting my best deals. And I also find that these REI clubs were founded and are being run by an investor on a pretty sizeable ego trip.