Should I Attend a Meetup with Minimal Knowledge?

Question

Hi everyone, I’m just getting started on my real estate journey and have spent the past few months learning through podcasts, BiggerPockets resources, and The House Hacking Strategy by Craig Curelop. I keep hearing from experienced investors about the importance of attending local meetups. While I think it would be a great opportunity to learn, I’m worried about showing up with so little knowledge and potentially giving the wrong impression.

Do you have any advice? Should I attend now or spend a few more months educating myself before going?

Min Zhang · Answer

Yes! It's a great way to start connecting with fellow investors. Not all you'll meet are seasoned investors, some are newbies as well and trying to get their feet wet and learn as much on real estate investing. I myself attended local meetups when I was starting and gained insights about their experience on local market

Mike Fingleton · Answer

Hey Jack,

Welcome to the real estate journey....it's an exciting ride! I remember when I was starting out, feeling a bit like a fish out of water at my first meetup. But you know what? Attending those gatherings was one of the best moves I made.

Don't worry about your level of knowledge. Everyone starts somewhere, and meetups are all about learning and connecting. I once met a newbie who knew next to nothing but asked some of the most insightful questions, sparking great discussions. Folks appreciate enthusiasm and genuine curiosity.

A friend of mine, Alex, felt the same hesitation but decided to give it a shot. Not only did he gain valuable insights, but he also connected with a mentor who helped him snag his first investment property in Phoenix.

So, I'd say jump in now rather than later. Bring your questions, soak up the information, and enjoy the process. You'll be surprised how welcoming and helpful the community can be.

Jonathan Greene · Answer

An absolute hard yes. Meetups are the best confidence supplement to books and podcasts in the world. You will find other newbies there and others who are only a few months ahead. Just be interested in others and not interesting to others when you start. They all want to talk about their investments and you are there to listen.

River Sava · Answer

Hey Jack -

Absolutely go! It’s normal to feel like you don’t have enough knowledge at the start, but these meetups are a space for learning and building relationships. You’ll find that many investors are happy to share advice, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro. Showing up and asking questions is a great way to learn. You’ll also make valuable connections that could help you down the road.

Also, l'm from Newburyport and happy to connect with you. Highly suggest connecting with @Daniel McDonald as well who runs a great meetup in the Boston area. Good luck!

Jack Lee · Answer

Thanks, everyone, for the responses and support! This was exactly the assurance I needed. I’ll be attending the Simplified REI Meetup next Wednesday, October 16th, at Bay State Brewery in Worcester, MA, hosted by Andrew Freed. Looking forward to it!

Zachary Gray · Answer

100000% yes

I similarly began attending meetups about 4 years ago. I thought it would be extremely formal guys with briefcases and way over my head. i felt it rapidly grew my network, knowledge basis, and confidence that has propelled me to be successful in acquiring 300+ units over the last 4 years.

I didn't know the difference between a heating system and water heater, I didnt know how to screen deals, I didnt know how to calculate cash on cash. we all start somewhere.

I have met some of my partners at meet ups, best contractors, scored deals, raised money for deals, you name it.

My partner Andrew Freed runs the largest meetup in Worcester through simplified REI. come by and check it out

Jack Lee · Answer

I wanted to follow up and say I attended the meetup. Thank you for encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone—I learned a lot and made some great connections. It was inspiring to meet people with similar goals who are a few steps ahead.

Jordan D'Silva · Answer

Get out there now! The value of meetups isn’t in showing up as an expert, it’s about connecting, asking questions, and learning from others’ experiences. Most investors started where you are now, so don’t worry about not knowing everything. You’d be surprised at how willing people are to share their knowledge towards newbies.

Jack Lee · Answer

Thanks for the advice! I really like how you put it: “Just be interested in others and not interesting to others when you start.” That really resonates with me. As a quieter person, it’s reassuring to know that others will enjoy sharing their journey, and I’ll definitely use that approach.

Also, I’m glad you commented on this post because I actually found this meetup indirectly through your podcast with Andrew Freed. It was the first one I listened to featuring someone from my area, which immediately caught my interest. Thanks again for all the content—many of us, including myself, really appreciate it!

Should I Attend a Meetup with Minimal Knowledge?

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