Munhall, PA · Member since 2013 · 68 posts · 20 votes
Hello all! I'm totally new to the real estate game but I am an avid knowledge seeker and soak up information like a sponge. I'm in the Pittsburgh PA area and are looking to network as much as possible to get my business started. I'd LOVE to hear from anyone that can share some pointers for starting up literally from scratch. Thanks all!
Munhall, PA · Member since 2013 · 68 posts · 20 votes
12y
I will certainly do that. I also enrolled in a Rich Dad seminar coming up next month. I went to the free seminar and was very impressed. Are you familiar with Rich Dad Education (Robert Kiyosaki) and if so, do you reccomend?
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
12y
Welcome to the site, @anthony ogletree.
I think you'll find many folks here, me included, think these high paid "gurus" are a waste of money. Yes, you will learn some stuff. But you will also be repeatedly sold more and more expensive programs. Its not hard to end up spending tens of thousands of dollars with these guys. If you've already paid, go ahead and go. But leave ALL your credit cards and checkbook at home and don't buy anything else.
Then spend some time reading here. Everything any guru can teach you is here. The downside is that a good course of some sort will give it to you in an organized fashion where you'll actually have to make an effort to learn here. It will take some effort on your part to do the reading, think about what you're reading and then ask some questions. But you have hundreds of folks here who know everything these gurus know and will give you answer for no charge.
What are you trying to do? Many of these gurus hold up wholesaling as a way to quick and easy riches. Don't believe it. They're selling a dream. Wholesaling is hard. It take a lot of work and no small amount of money to make it happen. And you actually have to know quite a bit about values and rehabbing to be successful. If you see pictures of checks and the guru in some tropical vacation spot in that presentation you're being sold a dream. Run away.
Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes
12y
Welcome to BP @Anthony Ogletree If you absorb knowledge like a sponge BP will keep you saturated.
Sorry to say I think Rich Dad is grossly overpriced. You also don't know the quality of instructor you will ultimately get. There are good Gurus and coaches but it is definitely not a case of you get what you pay for.
Munhall, PA · Member since 2013 · 68 posts · 20 votes
12y
My goal is ultimately to have a nice stream of passive income via rental properties. I have a background in construction and remodeling however I am not interested in "flipping houses."I would rather fix it up and rent it out. I've also been listening to Jennifer Hammond on XM radio and she seems to have a lot of info on real estate. I plan to spend several hours per week on this website as well as reading some of the books I have purchased on real estate. I appreciate the info on Rich Dad seminars. The one I paid for was only $200 however I do not plan to spend any more on that. I was thinking about attending other seminars or maybe picking up some community college courses in accounting and taxes just to get some good grounding in what I want to do with this. Also I need to network as much as possible. BTW I will post a picture of myself to my profile as soon as I get one I;m satisfied with. I welcome ALL suggestions and advise as to how I need to proceed from here! Thank you in advance!
House Flipper · East Stroudsburg, PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 205 votes
12y
There are a lot of BP members in your general area and I believe they attend some Real Estate Investment groups in your area. Put out some feelers and I'm sure you will connect. Meanwhile, watch the podcasts that are available, there free and worth listening to. Everyone has a niche and you will find yours there is an abundance of articles you can read from the learn section, pick and choose what interests you. At the paid for meetings one of the more valuable exposures is networking, make sure you mingle and bring some business cards. Hope I've helped.
Real Estate Coach · Venice Beach, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
12y
Welcome Anthony!
Starting from scratch, I recommend studying up on the different niches you can get into. They are all totally different from each other. If it helps, try this-
San Diego, CA · Member since 2013 · 1 post · 0 votes
12y
Hey Anthony, I too am new and have a bit of advice after reading for the past week. While the information here is fantastic, some times your brain can only soak up so much. I have started a word document and I cut and past the most important things I have taken from each article. From here I will be able to organize it really well to build quite the handbook for topics. Enjoy the site, I am loving it so far!
Munhall, PA · Member since 2013 · 68 posts · 20 votes
12y
Yeah, I'll have to start doing that. I just bought this book "Real Estate Handbook" from Barrons. Its a really great book. I think I'd recommend it for new people such as myself as well in addition to the essentials (How to Win Friends and Influence People, Think and Grow Rich, Art of War, etc.). Thanks for the additional suggestions everyone!