BiggerPockets

Recently, I have noticed this word "wannabie" being tossed around inside forum posts. I personally do not like it and the guilty party throwing that word out to people he/she does not even know is no different than calling them any other bad name which is a forum violation. Persoanl name calling and or attacks is certainly not allowed and these comments should always be removed once found/noticed.

That said, I would like to make it known that I feel we need to generate and keep a positive and welcoming environment for the new members and the people who come here looking to get some kind of start in RE investing. Degrading them with name calling certainly does not create a welcome environment!

I am certainly not talking about throwing out a bunch of bull sh!^ hype like the gurus do, but stating that we should be encouraging and helpful to the newbies. We all started out not knowing a thing about RE investing at one point in time (that goes for each and every successfull member here) and through our hard work and determination (and help from others) we have become successfull.

As mentioned, this biz does require the effort and if you are lazy or expect money to just land in your lap, you are sadly mistaken. Those who come here and make a few posts and do not come back, are those who certainly will not be successfull in this biz. Those that do, we certainly want to help them in any way we can and that includes not degrading them with names like wannabies.

I don't think the serious wannabies care what you call them.

They're too busy putting in long hours learning and doing. Sooner or later they'll be called professionals which they won't care about either.

My girlfriend's father sold insurance and collected rent on his real estate investments. Every Saturday he'd drive around collecting premiums or rent. He'd park out front and beep his horn, earning the label Honkey.

But in the end, after raising a great family and providing everything they needed, the only personal labels he ever cared about were 'successful' and 'respected'.

First of all, it's not "wannabie", it's "wannabe", as in "wanna be" or, in English, "want to be". In other words, the person "wants to be" something that he or she is not.

I also understand the idea by some that we have a completely "positive" attitude so that they can gain the trust of these wannabes and do deals with them, or otherwise separate them from their money. In my opinion, that's a bunch of crap! This forum is about telling people the TRUTH (for FREE), not setting them up to be fleeced by blowing smoke up their skirts and promising them a fantasy.

One of the main things that sets BiggerPockets apart from other investment sites is that people get the straight scoop here. Political correctness hasn't yet run amuck to obscure the truth and that's a good thing!

When a wannabe comes on here giving advice as if he were an experienced investor, that is pointed out. When a scammer comes on here trying to scam newbies out of their money, that will be exposed (as in Josh's recent warning about scammers).

NC Mark made an excellent post and I would like to add to that by saying that anyone that whines (or quits) because it is pointed out that they're a wannabe or a newbie (when they are a wannabe or newbie) ISN'T GOING TO MAKE IT IN THIS OR ANY OTHER BUSINESS and they saved a bunch of time and money by quitting now.

Mike (not politically correct)

Personally, for those pretending to be something they're not, I like Tim's "annoying as fu--", although that might be a little too honest and harsh for the forum.

So, I thought of some more terms that are a little more politically correct for those that don't like the term "wannabe":

1. Poser
2. Pretender
3. Fake

Or, maybe we could combine the best of both and have:

1. Determined Poser
2. Pretendtobe investor
3. Energetic Fake

Which one do you like? LOL!

Personally, for those pretending to be something they're not,

Lets see, anybody coming to BP looking to become a RE investor is "pretending they are something they are not"? Ridiculous. They are coming for education, assistance and possibly a guiding hand to get them to their goal. No clue how your mind has come to such a conclusion, but it is dead wrong.

Carl,
perhaps you have a full time job and limited time to get started, perhaps you have not found the niche that fits your personality, perhaps something else. The fact that you are still here after a year shows some effort and determiniation. That is the key ingredient. Keep working hard and spend as much time as you can learning here and asking questions. Before you know it, you will be posting in the success stories forum.

Thank You for that I appreciate that. The thing is I read all over the internet that you can wholesale for no money down but I don't see how that is possible. I also looked at bird dogging but can't figure out if that is legal or not. I have manage to find some decent properties out their but don't know how to structure a deal out with other investors without money or legality.

The thing is I read all over the internet that you can wholesale for no money down but I don't see how that is possible

That depends on who is writing the info you read. Yes, it is possible and short sales are your best bet in my opinion. That said, having money and or credit certainly is helpful.

I also looked at bird dogging but can't figure out if that is legal or not

A simple question to your RE attorney would give you your answer. (Remember, every State has it's own rules)

I have manage to find some decent properties out their but don't know how to structure a deal out with other investors without money or legality

Have a deal in mind, post it (minus the address) and all the details in the make deals forum and ask for offers on the structuring, you should get a response if you have a real deal.

Someone probably does, just not anyone participating in this thread (including you)!!! LOL!

AND you too Mike!
Glad to see some ammusement can come from it.

Ah yes, the old 5 hour work week. And you say this biz requires a ton of work! Ha ha.

Let the crack heads shovel their own snow, perhaps they will work up an appetite for something more than the pipe. :)

I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to run out to look at an REO of interest and work many more hours than 5 per week, but I don't mind, I enjoy it!

As a "newbie", I appreciate this thread being started. There is just so much information on this site, (even though it's free), that it forced me to buy books on REI so that I can feel comfortable doing my first real deal. My plan is to find a place where I can live in a unit and rent the other ones out. I'm not so bourgeois that I can't live in the same space as other tenants if only for a few years, especially if those tenants are more or less like I am. Eventually, I can then get a single family for just my family and I, but I have to start somewhere, and I'll start here. :D

Thanks Will.

I could be wrong, but I don't think I've ever referred to anyone as a " want to be" (or other ways of spelling it). I would consider it degrading. I also don't care to JUDGE anyone of anything. I'll leave that to SOMEONE later on.
I've always welcomed all new members to BP, accepted every single colleague request I've ever received and tried to always be civil in discussions. If I don't find the thread or posts posted worth replying to, I just don't reply.
I've also offered all advice free, never tried to sell my book(all out now) and have offered to meet with BP members where ever I've visited. I haven't made any differenciation between experienced real estate people or non.
I want to wish all BP members a Merry Christmas(my belief) and Happy New Year. Rich, in Cancun recovering from serious dental work.