New Investor Question: How Can I Bring Value to the Table Early On?

Question

Hello everyone!

Im a new investor and recently started signing up for local meetups, summits and being more active on the BiggerPockets forum.

One question I've been hearing a lot is "What value do you bring to the table?" I want to be intentional when I'm at these events and be able to answer this honestly and thoughtfully.

For context:

I'm in the learning and action prep phase. My goal is to purchase my first deal this year likely a small multifamily or a house hack. I'm actively seeking mentorship, accountability and partnerships.

Im seeking advise from more experienced investors on:

1. What actually counts as value coming from a newer investor?

2. What skills or behaviors do you personally appreciate from beginners you mentor or work with?

3. Are there non real estate specific skills  (organization, research, follow through, networking etc.) that you find helpful?

Im coachable and serious about taking action and willing to put in the work  I just want to make sure I'm showing up in a way that's useful and respectful.

Appreciate any insight,Hannah

Dan H. · Answer

>I never got real mentoring or advice until I had a deal to discuss. In terms of partnerships and longer-term mentoring, I've only seen that work when someone had a deal, and what was in it for the other person was clear.

I am sorry you have not found a mentor willing to give back by mentoring without any benefit but I do understand.

I will start that I have mentored to various degrees quite a few people without any expectation except they put forth the effort.  However, the only ones that have put forth the effort have been those I had some sort of working relationship with.

Just over a year ago I was wrapping up a very profitable value add on a property that was up ~$1m above my costs.   I was also just renting from BPCon 2025 ad feeling like giving back.  I posted on BP forums a walk invite that i would discuss everything related to the deal including the financials and the value adds.  I had maybe 20 people say they were going to come.   Guess how many came?   One!   And she arrived after the invited window but because I was still on site I would have gone over anything she desired but she only had time to see the finished project.  No time for acquisition, financials, rehab thoughts, etc.   she barely counts as showing.  I’ve been doing this a while.  Being up $1m in less than 3 years is rare.  To be provided any information desired about its execution is more rare.

I would have jumped at this type of opportunity when I was young. Except I may have had this opportunity but was oblivious, a friend’s mom had apartments when I was young.   At the time it was a few apartment buildings.  I never thought to ask anything.  Today that family may be the biggest family holder of residential RE in San Diego virtually entirely under the radar (very few people know the extent of this family’s local RE holdings).   I wish she had reached out to me to mentor because I was too stupid to realize the potential value to ask.

I have done well, but I know I could have done better being receptive to guidance earlier.

Good luck

Kerry Noble Jr · Answer

ill give it to you in the simplest form.....learn to solve peoples problems. that may vary on a case by case basis on what that value is

Sabrina Speights · Answer

Hi Hannah, I know the frustration of this question lol. In my experience, "value" has really only ever meant "a deal" and maybe to a lesser extent "capital".

Of course, everyone's experience is different, but I never got real mentoring or advice until I had a deal to discuss. In terms of partnerships and longer-term mentoring, I've only seen that work when someone had a deal, and what was in it for the other person was clear.

Bo Smith · Answer

Hannah, tbh the best value newer investors bring is hustle and time. Most experienced guys are swamped and hate doing follow-up calls or chasing leads consistently. Here's what worked for me: instead of asking what you can bring, just show up with work done. Find one investor you vibe with and offer to handle their follow-up pipeline for a month in exchange for learning their process. What kind of tasks feel most natural to you right now?

Wale Lawal · Answer

@Hannah Moreno

I think for any new investor doing what you say you will do is key. Think of it as consistency showing up actually doing your research and then following through by taking action. It is way more helpful than just chatting about potential deals. Investors who know their stuff usually like beginners who are organized quick to respond open to learning and able to jump in with things like market research, looking at deals, building contacts, or even just driving around neighborhoods and gathering info. Just being someone folks can count on ready to learn and always looking for what's next is really all it takes to get some great chances for guidance and working together.

Good luck!

Matthew Chase · Answer

Honestly, just being prepared, and reliable already brings value. Follow through on advice, do your research, and communicate clearly. those non real estate skills matter a lot. Show commitment, and experienced investors will take notice.

Alfath Ahmed · Answer

You need to buy in an out of state market. Your money will go much further. Choose a good cash flowing market in the Midwest where you can put down 15% down and buy a cash flowing property.

Tons of tech companies are investing there like intel, google, amazon. Good market for cashflow and strong appreciation.

I've got 28 units here and sold over 120 properties this year to OOS investors in my market.

New Investor Question: How Can I Bring Value to the Table Early On?

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