Is the Value-Add Conference for me?

Question

I am interested in attending the recently announced Value-Add Conference, but I’m weighing whether it’s the right move for my current stage. I’m leaning towards "yes," but I’d love a gut check from the community.

My Situation:

• Experience: 0 deals currently (active search mode).
• Target: Small multi-family (duplexes) in Indianapolis, IN.
• Strategy: Searching for tenant-occupied properties or those needing cosmetic rehab to force appreciation via "value-add" improvements as units turn over.

I fit the event’s description for "investors wanting to understand the full lifecycle" and "improving underwriting/project management," but the event also mentions a "3+ deal" profile that I don't hit yet.

As someone looking for their first deal, specifically one where I can apply forced appreciation, is the $500 investment better spent on this education now, or after I close on at least my first deal? Does the networking at this specific event skew too "heavy-hitter" for a new investor to find value, or is this the exact room I need to be in to avoid "rookie" mistakes on my first rehab?

Thank you for any input.

Who this event is for:

Active real estate investors (3+ deals ideally) ready to execute value-add deals

BRRRR, flip, and small-scale development operators

Investors who want to understand the full lifecycle of a deal

Those looking to improve underwriting, financing, construction, and project management

Builders of repeatable systems—not one-off wins

Tim Kirk · Answer

How long have you been in "active search mode?"

Matthew Bonaski · Answer

I've been analyzing deals in the Indy area for the past 3+ months, with my agent. I'm finding that the properties don't quite hit the numbers I need for my first OOS deal. But I figure if I can learn more about this side of REI that I can expand my options and be more confident hitting the ground running on a rehab job.