REIA clubs - should I pay for membership?

Question

I'm thinking about joining a local REIA club for networking and partnership but the annual fee is $300. Are any of you in these type of clubs? Is it worth the fee? I'm new to this so I don't know if all clubs charge.

Huiping S. · Answer

Drive to that side is too far for me also, especially need to full time work. Maybe one day you can organize us on our side for the small meeting. :-)

Adrian Smude · Answer

@Tanisha W. you've gotten some great advice here.  Most REIAs are for profit, but there are a few that are Not for profit which can be a sign they have more interest for you to learn.  The down fall I see in the non profit REIAs is they do not have the funds to bring in certain speakers and do bigger events.  I am a member of a non profit and a for profit REIA in my area.  I attend some free REIAs as well.

I know I believe LASouthREIA has a free pass.  I know Lisa that runs it and she truly has a passion to help investors grow and learn.

Gerald Demers · Answer

@Tanisha W., if you think $300 is a lot to shell out for an unsure thing, tell them that and get an invite to their general meeting.  Once there, watch the room.  In general, of all the attendees, I would estimate about 5% are doing most of the deals.  Others gravitate to them at the meetings.  So watch who is standing there with people coming to them and go talk to them and ask them about the REIA.  This way, you can make an intelligent decision.

Most REIAs have a charge for a non member to come to the General Meeting, say $20.  And if you like what you see and want to join, I know CFRI will put your $20 entrance fee towards your membership if you join within 24 hours.  I suspect other REIAs operate similarly.

Gerald Demers

Janelle Green · Answer

The South Jersey REIA is just under $300 as well and charge $15 for most meetings for non-members.  Seems worthwhile to me but go to a meeting and see if you like it.

Elizabeth El-Taher · Answer

NO. You're not going for cake & coffee, you're going to learn & share. Look for another REI club or start your own.

Brandon L. · Answer

@Tanisha W. @Gerald Demers hit the nail on the head. Also most groups I have seen charge a small fee per meeting, or sometimes free for someone looking to try it out.

Tanisha W. · Answer

Thanks for the feedback everyone. @Adrian Smude I emailed Lisa and I hope to  check them out before I decide to join.

Manolo D. · Answer

I won't pay it. pretty sure I couldn't attend 12 meetings a year. if they charge 300/year, pretty much that's 25/meeting, non members could be around 30-50/meeting, I'd rather pay that.

Tim G. · Answer

I think I know the club you're talking about and it is awesome.

For the most part I prefer a la carte setups with clubs as they often have the same dang speakers every year doing the same dang presentation. Its a circuit for a lot of those folks and it gets pretty old seeing them.

BUT... there are certain individuals who are worth listening to when its a subject that is of focus to your business. In that case, I buy a single ticket and go see it. The memberships are a lot like gym memberships, get you committed while you're hot on the benefits.

REIA clubs - should I pay for membership?

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