The #1 Problem Beginners Face

The #1 Problem Beginners Face

Real Estate Coach · Boston, MA · Member since 2017 · 37 posts · 20 votes

As a new investor, it's highly likely that your number 1 problem is a (completely legitimate) fear of failure--as would be the case when starting in any new business.

  • You’ve done the research
  • You’ve learned everything there is to know about real estate
  • You have a deep understanding of the marketplace

Yet, you are still afraid to take action!

What you are doing is a common mistake for many, many first-time real estate investors--you go around and around, collecting information, doing more research, learning about the market, studying any and every piece of information you can find, but you NEVER PULL THE TRIGGER.

By doing so, you have put the breaks on your entire business because of a fear of failure.

To be successful, you must overcome this fear. One way to do so is by having the mindset that my failures are opportunities to collect feedback that fuels future success.

Obviously, part of real estate can be learned by books (i.e. through somebody else’s experience). However, the majority of what you need to know MUST be learned by taking action yourself and playing the game.

I don’t know of any real estate investor who hasn’t failed/lost money (including myself)--it’s just a matter of time.

Changing your mindset from fear of failure to my failures are opportunities to collect feedback that fuels future success is the key to elevating your potential.

For example, you bought a property and try to flip and it didn’t work out. Ok, a major disappointment, but you’ve acquired some very valuable feedback from the experience: you need to be better at analyzing numbers, managing contractors, or this doesn’t match with your skill set, etc. 

The only way to get feedback that will drive success is by taking action. 

Ketan Patel

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  • Real Estate Broker · Forney, TX · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 399 votes
    6y

    Welcome to BiggerPockets! I hope the best for you in 2020 in your investments. I agree that the fear of failure will keep a lot of people on the sideline. Thank you for you inspiring words!!

  • Joseph CacciapagliaBusiness Member
    Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    This is completely true. I know so many people that talk about real estate investing for years, but just never seem to start. I also know a ton of investors that accidentally became investors when they couldn't sell a house when they moved. They realized it's not that complicated to be a landlord, and were then off to the races. 

    For the would-be investors that have been debating real estate forever, I often suggest either a house hack or buying an already tenant occupied single family home that cash flows with professional management. If done right, these are the easiest ways to get into the game. Once they get one deal closed, a lot of the fear dissipates.

    Joseph Cacciapaglia powered by Morty
  • Specialist · Plano, TX · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 861 votes
    6y

    @Ketan Patel Welcome to BP. Fear would absolutely have to be the number one thing that keeps so many of us from going after what we want. The things we are capable of achieving once we get beyond fear is what makes it all worth it. Great post. 

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