Biggerpockets or RE Investor clubs

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Biggerpockets or RE Investor clubs

Will BarnardPro Member
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Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes

Please keep in mind that the title of this thread is NOT to say that someone should do one or the other. It was just to attract attention (disclaimer for all the litteral members abroad).

I have found BP Nation to be a very valuable asset to me and my business. Not only have I met some great contacts here on BP, I have done business, made friends, (a few enemies - can't please everybody!), learned a lot, and have found it very rewarding to educate others via the forums as well as questions sent to me privately through emails and PM's.

I have also enjoyed attending REI clubs over the years, however, they are once a month and BP is 24/7! I feel that is a huge plus for all of us members and just wanted to point it out. I also find that you can communicate with a tremendous amount of people in a short period of time here on BP, unlike at a REI meeting. Don't get me wrong, those meetings come highly recommended (at least the good ones) and I ALWAYS encourage people to attend, even those that are not investors.

All in all, I encourage everyone to attend RE investment club meetings AND spend as much time as you can on BP. Pursuing both will assist you in your journey to success! :lol:

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Michael Rossi
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y

Obviously, BP is a great resource! Having said that, it certainly can't replace your local REIA. These two resources complement each other and both are needed if a person is to be efficient in learning the business.

As Will said, BP is 24/7 and has a huge repository of information on just about every topic imaginable relating to real estate.

On the other hand, your local REIA has many of the SUCCESSFUL investors in your local area. These folks have an intimate knowledge of your local market, including market values, political happenings, local contacts, and much more!

Also, while the REIA meeting may be once a month, the benefits of the REIA are 24/7. I have the phone numbers of the other successful investors in my phone and I can call them anytime if I have an issue that I want to discuss with them. In addition, I occassionally have lunch with some of the other members to discuss things (or just because we're friends).

So, I agree with Will, spend as much time as you can reading everything on BP AND be active in your local REIA!

Mike

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  • Michael Rossi
    Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    17y

    Obviously, BP is a great resource! Having said that, it certainly can't replace your local REIA. These two resources complement each other and both are needed if a person is to be efficient in learning the business.

    As Will said, BP is 24/7 and has a huge repository of information on just about every topic imaginable relating to real estate.

    On the other hand, your local REIA has many of the SUCCESSFUL investors in your local area. These folks have an intimate knowledge of your local market, including market values, political happenings, local contacts, and much more!

    Also, while the REIA meeting may be once a month, the benefits of the REIA are 24/7. I have the phone numbers of the other successful investors in my phone and I can call them anytime if I have an issue that I want to discuss with them. In addition, I occassionally have lunch with some of the other members to discuss things (or just because we're friends).

    So, I agree with Will, spend as much time as you can reading everything on BP AND be active in your local REIA!

    Mike

    1Reply
  • James Hiddle
    Altus, OK · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 690 votes
    17y

    Since I don't have a local REIA here I'm forced to go online but BP is the shiznet so I'm not complaining.

    0Reply
  • Will BarnardPro Member
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    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    17y

    There is no question BP has become the premier RE investment site! Unless you live on another planet, there should not be an argument there.

    The point of the post was to point out in more detail, exactly how much value BP offers to our business (or future biz in the case of rookies).
    I mentioned several aspects of BP which I feel are of great importance. Does anyone else feel the same or have something to add?

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  • Rich Weese
    Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    17y

    A contrarian view. Some reias are useless(so. Texas) and some are helpful. Some posts on BP are useless scam or product promoting and some are helpful. I agree that both places can be helpful. but also both can sometimes be a waste of time..

    1Reply
  • Bryan Hancock
    Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    BP is better hands down. You can post about any crazy thing on here 24/7 and get great quality feedback from investors all across the country. Even the best of our local REIAs cannot approach that IMO.

    0Reply
  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    15y

    Since this thread has been reinvigorated, I'd like to respond to Rich's comment. If any members see scams posted or products promoted when they shouldn't be, please just report the post. We don't catch every post, but with the help of our members, we can. Please do your part and report any scams you see posted or if people are promoting where they shouldn't be.

    We make a concerted effort to make sure this is the cleanest site of the highest quality . . . help us make sure that is always the case, please!

    Thanks everyone....

    BTW - I'm a bit biased, but I think the 24 hr nature of BP makes it superior to real estate clubs. That said, there is something about meeting people in person.

    I hope more people start using BP to do just that -- create your own local meetups here on BP!

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  • Account Closed
    Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    I see real value in meeting with other real estate investors in your local area. Not all REIs though are created equal. I have found that some spend far more time promoting gurus.

    BP provides a platform for learning and for connecting with RE investors around the world. Investing time in building connections here can be very valuable and will certainly supplement what you get out of meeting with local investors.

    0Reply
  • Bryan Hancock
    Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    How do we post Meetup announcements for local folks Josh? On the forums?

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Private Money Lender · OK · Member since 2010 · 163 posts · 32 votes
    15y

    Will I agree. Not only that, but a lot of people can easily be more shy about speaking out in person and much more comfortable speaking from behind an avatar. Not saying I'm one of those people but it's just true. Otherwise internet chat and dating sites wouldn't be as huge as they are.

    I haven't made it to my REI club yet (an hour drive I've procrastinated on making) buy BP is just so convenient with investors at every level of the totem pole.

    0Reply
  • Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 711 votes
    15y

    I just looked into my local REI Club... I can only find one... and it is kinda expensive ~$200 / year. Since there is so much positive influence here on the board regarding REI's, I'll give it a shot. If it isn't worth the $, I'll be sure to let you all know. And start a local meetup REI via BP ;-)

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  • Will BarnardPro Member
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    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Joshua Dorkin:
    BTW - I'm a bit biased, but I think the 24 hr nature of BP makes it superior to real estate clubs. That said, there is something about meeting people in person.
    In my experience, one of the benefits of both is using BP to meet others in your area, tehn meet them in PERSON at your local RE club. I have met countless people on BP from my local area, invited them to my RE club, and met them in person. Several of these people I have done business with and consider my good friends and business colleagues.
    BP is hands down the place to at least start!
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  • Michael Lauther
    Investor · Hampton Bays, NY · Member since 2009 · 907 posts · 258 votes
    15y

    I have made a decision to stop investing in my local market. it does not offer what I require at this time.The consensus of the local investors I have met is that I am ill advised to invest out of state. It is only through biggerpockets that I get to meet the people local to the markets I am interested in and would find it hard to continue if i had not stumbled across this valuable resource.

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  • Steve L.
    Investor · Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 684 votes
    15y

    I agree with Will, there is a big value of meeting people in person and networking with the real players in your market.

    There are a lot of REI clubs in my area. Between LA, OC, San Diego and the Inland Empire I could easly go to 10 a month.

    Each have different dynamics, but the biggest factor in my decision is if there is a speaker that I would like to here or that is teaching things that I believe are valuable to my business.

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  • Sharon Vornholt
    Goshen, KY · Member since 2009 · 835 posts · 683 votes
    15y

    We have a great REIA club in Ky. I have been very fortunate to find excellent mentors, make good friends with similar interests, and have the opportunity to hear national speakers at our meetings on a fairly regular basis. It also gives me the opportunity to learn first hand from other people's mistakes.

    Bigger Pockets is a great resource for many reasons. The fact that it is available 24 -7 could not be more valuable. Being able to network with other investors of all levels of experience provides an opportunity to learn that simply cannot be equaled. Thanks BP.

    0Reply
  • Sharad M.Pro Member
    Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    The way I look at it is that BP is THE BEST resource out there to understand different investment strategies at a Macro level.

    The value of REIA comes in to help you implement the investment strategies you learn at BP at a Micro level.

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  • Will BarnardPro Member
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    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    15y

    Good point Max. Agreed.

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  • Bryan Hancock
    Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    15y

    It would be very cool to have some form of organized BP Meetup groups to spark some common-minded real estate groups locally. It would also be nice to visit them from other cities when you are traveling too.

    Ideas?

    0Reply
  • Daniel Thomas
    Investor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2010 · 13 posts · 4 votes
    15y

    I would love to find out more about your group n Louisville. I am in E-town. I am just starting out and looking to learn all I can.
    Thanks

    0Reply
  • Adam R.
    Real Estate Investor · Fort Worth and San Diego, Texas and California · Member since 2011 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    15y

    Agreed Bryan! I would be pretty happy to see something in the Metroplex.

    0Reply
  • RJ Walker
    Real Estate Consultant · Irvine, CA · Member since 2011 · 15 posts · 1 vote
    15y

    Great thread going here! Good point Bryan, I'm down in Southern CA and the quality/quantity of RE clubs is a little overwhelming/intimidating, especially with the dues involved.

    I was thinking of maybe organizing a speed networking session (followed by an hour or so of normal networking) of a good mix of newbies, experts, and non-shady service providers (legit real estate lawyers/tax advisers etc).

    Just an idea, what do folks think?

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  • Will BarnardPro Member
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    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by RJ Walker:
    Great thread going here! Good point Bryan, I'm down in Southern CA and the quality/quantity of RE clubs is a little overwhelming/intimidating, especially with the dues involved.

    I was thinking of maybe organizing a speed networking session (followed by an hour or so of normal networking) of a good mix of newbies, experts, and non-shady service providers (legit real estate lawyers/tax advisers etc).

    Just an idea, what do folks think?

    Have you checked out the Nked Real Estate Investors Club in Los Angeles ( Culver City)? It has a mix of exactly dthat without any guru hype or pitches. I speak there often and attend regularly. It is a great additional resource after BP Nation.
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  • RJ Walker
    Real Estate Consultant · Irvine, CA · Member since 2011 · 15 posts · 1 vote
    15y

    Thanks for the tip, Will. Checked out their site and would love to visit and hear you speak sometime. By any chance is there anything similar down in the OC?

    0Reply
  • Will BarnardPro Member
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    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    15y

    There is the Invest Club for Women (men welcome) which Iris runs and she runs her club similar to the Naked RE Club.
    I think her meeting is tonight if I am not mistaken.

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  • Victor A.
    Irvine, CA · Member since 2010 · 28 posts · 12 votes
    15y

    I just looked at the OC Invest Club for Women and it seems their meetings are on the 3rd Wed of the month. That means the last meeting was on the 16th.

    However, I see the OC Investors Club is having a meeting this Friday at 11:30 AM.

    0Reply
  • RJ Walker
    Real Estate Consultant · Irvine, CA · Member since 2011 · 15 posts · 1 vote
    15y

    I appreciate the info, looking forward to dropping by both clubs and learning alot!

    0Reply
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