How to find a mentor?

Question

How have people been able to find a mentor? I am trying to find a mentor but I don't have the money to pay for one. It would be ideal to find someone who is looking to give back and teach me how to get started and to get me on the right track. I mean what I can offer in return is an open mind, eager to learn, hard work, passion for real estate and investing, and any help to the mentor/investor with his/her business in some fashion like free labor in order to learn from that person.

Taylor Shapiro · Answer

Hey Jason

I haven't personally looked at the links provided by others but I'm sure there's plenty of great advice in them.

One day I decided to check the real estate jobs on craigslist and happened to stumble upon an ad that basically said "veteran real estate investor looking for help with rentals and flips. Will pay hourly to begin with, open to negotiating. In return for your hard work, I will teach you everything I know about real estate".

I responded to the ad (along with 70+ other people I later found out) and kept hounding the guy once he gave me his phone number to contact him with. We met up for lunch one day and the rest is history.

My point is- there are MANY ways to find a mentor, just as there are many ways to find "deals". There are REIA meetings, friends of friends, CL, newspaper, cold-calling, etc. Just put yourself out there, be patient, and sooner or later you'll meet up with someone you connect with.

Just keep going

Tin Lam · Answer

Jason,

In your local market, there's someone who's do a lot of deals, go to lunch on a tuesday, wednesday, or thrusday, and sit in the back of the room listening in. You asked around and probably recognize the names. They don't offer to speak much, and only focus on doing deals. Ask around, and you'll find one. Take them to lunch when they're free since they're often busy with their own businesses, pick their brains, and observe.

Ned Carey · Answer

Jason  Hastings I will add one more to Kyle's list

http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/3225/blog_posts/26426-mentor

J Scott · Answer

Sounds like you have the right mentality.  Find a local investor and offer your services for free in exchange for being allowed on the job site and getting some basic mentoring.  Offer more than you ask for in return.  A respectable investor who says yes to this deal will -- in return -- give you more than you ask for.

Kyle J. · Answer

Hey Jason,

Here's a few of the many threads on the topic:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/87/topics/78559-in-need-of-mentor-in-detroit-area

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/79046-contacting-an-investor-how-to-find-a-mentor

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/78560-mentor