Looking for a mentor

[Matt James]

Hello Everyone, 

I am a new (aspiring) RE investor, ready to get started, looking to buy my first property within a few months. I have assembled my team, but feel that I would really benefit from a mentor in these early days.

I am located in Canada (Ontario/Alberta). Considering the significant differences in finance, taxes etc, I think I would need a mentor also in Canada.

Not sure where to start, but thought it was worth asking if anyone knew of a mentor I could approach, or a method of finding one?

Thanks!

[Ke Nan Wang]

Finding a free mentor is rare. A better mindset is to work as an intern for someone who’s already successful locally. I occasionally have young people reach out to me, asking what value they can offer in exchange for the opportunity to shadow me on a project. That kind of approach stands out. Even if they can’t help much, you feel inclined to help them—because they showed initiative and respect.

On the other hand, when someone just asks, “Can you teach me?” without offering anything in return, it can come across as entitled.

Ask yourself: what value can you bring to the mentor? Sure, some people may genuinely enjoy teaching and won’t ask for anything in return—that’s just who they are. But from your perspective, you should always approach the situation with gratitude and a willingness to give back. And ideally, you rather bring value from the start than making promises you may not keep.