Networking When New to Real Estate

[Erica Davis]

I have heard time and again to network while you are new to real estate investing. I do not live in the area I plan to invest. I move every few months for work and have been hesitant to attend any real estate meetups in the local areas I live because I know I will not be investing in these areas. I don't have a specific market in mind yet as options are endless and my job allows a lot of flexibility in where I would be able to live. I also feel like I'm so new to real estate investing that I have nothing to contribute if I attend a meetup. 

Are there other avenues I should look into online for networking? Or would it be in my best interest to attend a local meetup in my area to gain more general knowledge, whether or not I'm investing in the local market?

Thank you in advance from a new to real estate investing overthinker!

[James Jones]

You are overthinking this. Almost every new investor does.

Networking is not about what you contribute. It is about what you absorb and who you build relationships with early.

A few direct thoughts:

Go to meetups anyway

Even if you will not invest in that specific market.

Why?

You are not just learning market data. You are learning:

• How experienced investors think

• What questions lenders ask

• How operators structure deals

• What mistakes people openly admit to

That pattern recognition transfers to any market.

You do not need value to “offer” yet

As a beginner, your value is curiosity and follow through.

Most new people show up once and disappear.

If you show up consistently, ask intelligent questions, and follow up one on one, that alone separates you.

If you move often, think role-based networking

Instead of market based networking, connect by role:

• Investor operators

• Property managers

• Lenders

• Agents who work with investors

• Out of state investors

These relationships can exist anywhere.

Online networking works if done intentionally

Random Facebook scrolling is not networking.

Targeted interaction is.

You can:

• Join investor focused groups in 2 or 3 markets you are considering

• Reach out to active landlords on BiggerPockets

• DM operators and ask specific, thoughtful questions

• Set short 15 minute calls with people 1 to 3 steps ahead of you

Most investors are surprisingly open if you are respectful of their time.

Pick a short list of markets

Your bigger issue is not networking. It is lack of focus.

Pick 2 or 3 markets based on:

• Landlord friendliness

• Job growth

• Price to rent ratio

• Your comfort level managing remotely

Then start networking specifically inside those markets.

Clarity creates confidence.

And one last thing.

You absolutely have something to contribute at a meetup.

You can ask the question that half the room is too embarrassed to ask.

That alone makes the room better.