How to go about looking for a mentor!

Question

Hi BP fam!

My name is Victoria Spagnolo. I am an attorney in New York but looking to eventually transition to real estate full time! I currently am house-hacking my primary residence with my partner (we closed back in June). We get $2200 for the unit upstairs which helps us immensely in paying the mortgage. We also just bought our first out-of-state property in PA, using a DSCR loan, and rent it out to students. The property has the potential to cash flow almost double the mortgage payment.

I am extremely motivated to buy a third property and looking into seller-financing and private lending, but as I am new to all this, I always have so many questions. I'm interested in connecting with experienced or even new investors from whom I can learn from and share knowledge, but I imagine there arent many investors out there looking for mentee just because. How do I go about looking for a mentor? I don't want the relationship to be completely one-sided, but as a new investor, I only have so much knowledge and experience to offer.

I have been to a few BP meet ups in my area and am planning to go to the next one soon. What advice do you all have for connecting with other investors and finding a mentor?

Thanks in advance!

Nicholas L. · Answer

@Victoria Spagnolo

hello.  congrats on all your success so far.  i think going to meetups and just meeting other investors is the way to go.  i don't think you need a 'mentor,' just keep building that network.

I have done seller finance as a buyer, and would be happy to answer any questions you have.  i have nothing to sell and am on BP to help new investors not lose money.

Min Zhang · Answer

That’s awesome, Victoria! sounds like you’ve already hit the ground running with house hacking and even diving into DSCR lending. Mentorship in real estate usually comes more organically than formally. A lot of it is just building real relationships! asking thoughtful questions, sharing what you’re learning, and showing genuine interest in others’ journeys.

Meetups are great for that, sometimes the best connections start with just grabbing coffee after an event or following up on a conversation you had there. I’ve also found that even newer investors bring value to the table whether it’s a fresh perspective, different professional background, or even just making introductions.

What’s your vision for property #3? Are you leaning more toward another house hack, student rental, or something totally different? Happy to keep the conversation going!

Greg Kasmer · Answer

Victoria - I would encourage you to attend a few MeetUps and/or local REIA groups in your area. They are a wealth of knowledge and can assist you whether you decide to proceed on your own or go with a mentor/coach. They typically offer workshops and educational events - which provide good baseline information as a starting point - and typically some of the "teachers" are also coaches, so you can decide how much your like/enjoy their style. Good Luck!

Arman Ahmed · Answer

@Victoria Spagnolo

Victoria, you’re already making great moves with house hacking and your PA student rental 👏. If you’re serious about scaling, one of the best ways to find mentors (and deals) is by plugging into active investor communities and adding value however you can. I invest heavily in the Midwest, where returns are often stronger than on the coasts, and I’ve found that’s where a lot of new investors can grow quickly. You’re on the right track—keep going!

Eric Vasilopoulos · Answer

Meetups are a good way to meet other investors and network. There are plenty of paid mentorship programs out there. But finding a genuine mentor you would need to provide them value. Maybe you find them a deal in their buy box that you can do a joint venture on.

Andre Brock · Answer

I would do what you said you’re doing going to the meets up and listening and have conversations with the investors that’s in attendance. And it’s always good to add some value and be willing to possibly pay the one you would like to learn from.

How to go about looking for a mentor!

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