The BiggerPockets community is well over half a million real estate investors and professionals strong. That’s huge. We all know that there are many benefits to being involved with BP. Still, as with anything else, there can be cringeworthy and frustrating moments too.

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Finding the Best Information

If you’ve been following the BiggerPockets Forum threads even for a short while, you’ve seen an abundance of knowledge. There is a ton of awesome and powerful information. That’s pretty much a $40,000 real estate course for free, plus a lot more. There are new and veteran investors teaming up to learn and mentor. There are investors celebrating massive successes. And then there are the Grinch characters.

These are the ones who spend their time putting down others when they really have no knowledge about the facts themselves, the party poopers “hating” on cash flow investing and those spreading a lot of misinformation.

Related: The Incredible Value of Connections Made on BiggerPockets

Why They Do It

There can be many reasons these Grinch characters show up in all types of forums and sites online. In some cases, it just demonstrates their lack of knowledge. In others, it is out of resentment of the success of others or an attempt to self-promote. Then there are probably a few crazies in the mix. I mean, throw 500,000 people in any room and you’re going to have one or two rogues, right?

No Man Left Behind

Even though it is tempting to avoid environments like that, I’ve come to feel that you have to hit them head on. And who wants to live like a hermit anyway?

Somebody stuck around did it for me and others. Hundreds have invested time and energy to help others when they didn’t have to.

If we don’t stick it out, offer help, engage with good advice, or just share our authentic experiences with the next generations of investors, who will?

Related: An Experienced Investor Answers: Is a BiggerPockets Pro Membership Worth It For Newbies?

Summary

In conclusion, I can understand why some might be afraid or discouraged sometimes. But I’m sticking it out to give back and create value for others as I can. I hope I can be of real value for others looking for answers and am confident I’ll keep finding great nuggets to use in my business, as well as great people to do deals with.

The key here is always to vet whose advice you listen to. Know what to drown out versus what to adopt as constructive and well-meant criticism. Don’t assume they are doing well unless you check them out. You don’t know if they are really walking the walk or just talking the talk.

How do YOU separate the valuable information out there from the not-so-great advice and negativity?

Let me know with a comment!