Peter Harris Coaching - Disappointed

[Karma Senge]

Peter Harris, for those that don't know, is the co-author of Commercial Real estate for Dummies book. I have read it multiple times and I even watched all his videos on YouTube. One day I finally went to his website and it talked about his coaching program. So I inquired about it. By the next day I was contacted by someone to get more information on me and what I have done so far in real estate investing. That interview lasted about an hour. I was contacted a couple other times in between the first and second interview and was told many times that the only way they get paid is from splitting your deals that you work on together. Which was fine with me. I was happy about this cause some coaching programs wanted $10k - $30k up front which I don't have. I even mentioned this to them and they said, "we work differently than other coaching programs".

Then the second interview came a few days later. And they ran through how their coaching program works. They talked a lot about working under fire. Meaning they don't just sit you down to teach you, they teach you by you actually going out and working on live deals which they help you with. They pretty much take you by the hand and walk you through the deal. They teach you how to look for deals, analyze markets, how to structure the deal and present the offers, how to do due diligence, and how to manage the properties. And every other aspect of commercial investing. You get 2 coaching calls (apparently with Peter himself) per week, which has a few students on the call, and a one on one call as well (not sure how often). They also talked about some deal assessment review board that helps you run the numbers of your deals.

Then the disappointment came. They told me that I would need to put up $10k - $20k up front for the training. And on top of that, I would also have to pay $197/month for "tool fees". I assume this means paying for their software that they use (e-partner software). I was like WTF? They had told me that they only take the split of the deal and that "they were a different type of coaching program" to find out that they are just the same as everyone else.

I was so disappointed. Looking for a good mentor that will help you through deals for only a split of the deals is very hard to find. I had one when I started doing residential back in 2001. And finding one for commercial now is nearly impossible. So when I found Mr. Harris's coaching I was excited, only to be let down.

I hate when people / companies mislead people. If they would have told me up front what their real fees were, I would have said thank you and been on my way. I could have respected that. But they (Peter Harris and his company) quickly lost any respect I had for them. Instead I wasted a bunch of time on phone calls for them to hype up their program only to be let down.

Just thought I would post my thoughts here for anyone considering their coaching program so they are not get misled like I was.

Karma

[Brian Gibbons]

I was being conversational. I felt the OPs frustration.

@Rick H. that was a generous response.

Very few folks at BP have had true training in Mortgage Origination, Probate, BKs, Divorce, Wraps, AITDs, CFDs, Lease Options, Title Problems, Sub2 and Land Trusts, negotiating with the seller, DOTs and Mortgages, subordination of notes, substitution of collateral, etc.

Residential is where the OPPORTUNITY is, to solve problems for home sellers.

I HEAR you getting dissappointed, I hear it all day.

I had a student contact me that she paid $30K to learn REI from a very well known GURU. She was an experienced flipper, and then 90 days later she found out the hard way her "coach" was in a cubicle reading out of a book, never done a deal. It is the industry plague.

She was pissed, felt duped and conned. And unfortunately it happens every day.

Mind set is key, as Rick said. Finding a "mentor" is not easy. There is a thread about "finding a mentor" here

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/04/16/finding-mentor-real-estate/

Being a bird dogger for a wholesaler and making a small amount of money might be an answer.

Working at a title company or real estate attorney's office might be an answer.

Even working as a realtor's assistant might be an answer.

@K. Marie Poe undefined

Here is my favorite inspirational source, the late Jim Rohn.

“When you know what you want, and want it bad enough, you will find a way to get it.”

“You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight”

“You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.”

“Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”

“Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you.”

“If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build end up building us.”

“To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask?”

“If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”

“Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.”

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

@Karma Senge MAN I love your name! Go get em brother!

[Joel Owens]

Reality is someone isn't going to do coaching for 10,000 if highly successful. I make about 3,000 an hour for my time in commercial real estate. My clients buying properties learn from me as we go and also on my syndicated value add NNN deals.

If they want my time and almost 20 years experience I am not giving that away on the cheap it comes at a high premium as TIME is such a limited resource whereas money to be made is almost infinite. 

Programs will have where the head person occasionally does a zoom call or meets in person with a mass group of people. You really have to want to be in that space. If someone is making millions to tens of millions a year in income WHY are they going to spend 50 hours with a new person that knows nothing in the field for 10k? They would be losing tons of money. Just giving the realities to the dreamers out there. Your best bet might be to go to local investor workshops and then find someone very successful where they might take the time to help you out IF they feel you are truly motivated to listen and take action with direction as given.

At some point as people age they do want to pay it forward helping others but not those with low motivation or want the easy answers in life with massive results.  

[Kevin M.]

all deals have two main components: Price or Terms or a Hybrid of the two. 

If the protege program is going to cost $20k-$30k up front (price), then I wouldn't pay 50% for deals (terms). I bet if someone is really serious about learning CRE and they don't have the $30k up front, they could offer better terms to the mentor. Like $0 up front (buy his book) and then 90% of your deals profit up to $X dollars. That's how I'd do it anyway... something like that.

[Damien Mase]

This thread has been a great read, 9 years ago until today! Thanks for the input from all the posters.

Curious, to any of the people that participated, did you find success?

[Chris Seveney]

If someone is going to be spending $30k on a commercial real estate guru, go back to college and get a masters degree in a program. You then have something you could either get a job to learn from more experts or use that experience to further your knowledge. 

[Ng Ib]

@Chris Seveney, my thoughts exactly!

[Anupam Banerji]

Quote from @Damien Mase:

This thread has been a great read, 9 years ago until today! Thanks for the input from all the posters.

Curious, to any of the people that participated, did you find success?

 I actually joined Peter's program last year, and have been under contract once and had a seller back out on a second offer.  The program is good.  I am sure I will be able to close on something this year or the next.  Something that grows my equity, not destroy it.

[Nate Marshall]

This is why I have my line of anti guru merch now. 

[Nate Marshall]

Quote from @Nate Marshall:

This is why I have my line of anti guru merch now. 

 The closest most of these gurus will get to owning a Lambo. 

[Kenny Owoseje]

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Damien Mase:

This thread has been a great read, 9 years ago until today! Thanks for the input from all the posters.

Curious, to any of the people that participated, did you find success?

 I actually joined Peter's program last year, and have been under contract once and had a seller back out on a second offer.  The program is good.  I am sure I will be able to close on something this year or the next.  Something that grows my equity, not destroy it.

Hi Anupam, 
What is the program like? I'm supposed to be having my 2nd call with them this weekend. Would you recommend it? 

[Anupam Banerji]

Quote from @Kenny Owoseje:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Damien Mase:

This thread has been a great read, 9 years ago until today! Thanks for the input from all the posters.

Curious, to any of the people that participated, did you find success?

 I actually joined Peter's program last year, and have been under contract once and had a seller back out on a second offer.  The program is good.  I am sure I will be able to close on something this year or the next.  Something that grows my equity, not destroy it.

Hi Anupam, 
What is the program like? I'm supposed to be having my 2nd call with them this weekend. Would you recommend it? 

Absolutely.  I wouldn’t have had the knowledge or guts to take a plunge if I hadn’t joined in.  Totally worth it.

[Samuel Piliouras]

So Does anyone recommend a mentor or a program where I can start investing ?

[Nate Marshall]

Quote from @Account Closed:

Quote from @Samuel Piliouras:

So Does anyone recommend a mentor or a program where I can start investing ?

You really have to know a couple of things first.

1. What is it you want to become good at? Rentals, CRE, Lending, Building, Multifamily and so on. Pick a mentor/course/coach that focuses on that.
2. You have to be willing to work. A Coach can "coach" but he can't run the 4 minute mile for you.
3. Yes, it takes money to get a good coach. Why? Take the obvious reason first - they value their time and expertise. Go ask a lawyer to mentor you for free and see what laughter you get.
4. A good coach introduces you to other successful investors because that's who they roll with.
5. People who tell you that you don't need a mentor or you don't need to pay for a coach, "everything is available for free", are the ones who spent a couple of years "slip sliding" through the process, lost a lot of money and wasted a lot of time. They occasionally post about it on Bigger Pockets.
Did they learn? Yeah, eventually.

But most people who try on their own won't last 6 months. Look at how many people post less than ten times on Bigger Pockets and then fade away, never to be heard from again. Don't be that guy or girl. Stick to it.

Real estate investing is tough and those who say it isn't tough either have never bought a property or are trying to justify how much time, money and energy they’ve spent to get the meager success they have. They ignore where they could have been, if they'd had someone help them, because it's too embarrassing to admit to.

 Everything said here. 

[Anupam Banerji]

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

[Chris Seveney]

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

In the first sentence you say "it has made me into a savvy CRE investor"

Then in your last sentence you note "I expect to recoup my training fees in my first deal"...

Can you clarify? As I always assumed someone had to have significant experience to be considered savvy and not someone who has never done a deal.

[Anupam Banerji]

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

In the first sentence you say "it has made me into a savvy CRE investor"

Then in your last sentence you note "I expect to recoup my training fees in my first deal"...

Can you clarify? As I always assumed someone had to have significant experience to be considered savvy and not someone who has never done a deal.

 Yes, the knowledge component isn't enough.  Neither is finding what looks like a great deal.  Knowing the process is what I found I was lacking.  What the program does is increase your experience exponentially by pointing out flaws in your analysis.  Without Peter's help, I'd have made mistakes from the word go.  This ensures that the upside on any potential deal more than makes up for the upfront training fee.

Think about the fee as "skin in the game".  If you're not going to put any money into a deal, how do you expect to become a GP?  And we all know that "skin in the game" money results in a huge equity multiple for any GP (otherwise why do the deal?)

In that sense, the forced appreciation is way in excess of the fee.  Any deal thereafter with their assistance is basically free.

[Chris Seveney]

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

In the first sentence you say "it has made me into a savvy CRE investor"

Then in your last sentence you note "I expect to recoup my training fees in my first deal"...

Can you clarify? As I always assumed someone had to have significant experience to be considered savvy and not someone who has never done a deal.

 Yes, the knowledge component isn't enough.  Neither is finding what looks like a great deal.  Knowing the process is what I found I was lacking.  What the program does is increase your experience exponentially by pointing out flaws in your analysis.  Without Peter's help, I'd have made mistakes from the word go.  This ensures that the upside on any potential deal more than makes up for the upfront training fee.

Think about the fee as "skin in the game".  If you're not going to put any money into a deal, how do you expect to become a GP?  And we all know that "skin in the game" money results in a huge equity multiple for any GP (otherwise why do the deal?)

In that sense, the forced appreciation is way in excess of the fee.  Any deal thereafter with their assistance is basically free.

 How much is the program? You can take 3-5 collegiate graduate courses for a few grand that are taught by billion dollar hedge fund managers and take away a ton of information (and contacts) and never have to give up any piece of any deal...

[Anupam Banerji]

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

In the first sentence you say "it has made me into a savvy CRE investor"

Then in your last sentence you note "I expect to recoup my training fees in my first deal"...

Can you clarify? As I always assumed someone had to have significant experience to be considered savvy and not someone who has never done a deal.

 Yes, the knowledge component isn't enough.  Neither is finding what looks like a great deal.  Knowing the process is what I found I was lacking.  What the program does is increase your experience exponentially by pointing out flaws in your analysis.  Without Peter's help, I'd have made mistakes from the word go.  This ensures that the upside on any potential deal more than makes up for the upfront training fee.

Think about the fee as "skin in the game".  If you're not going to put any money into a deal, how do you expect to become a GP?  And we all know that "skin in the game" money results in a huge equity multiple for any GP (otherwise why do the deal?)

In that sense, the forced appreciation is way in excess of the fee.  Any deal thereafter with their assistance is basically free.

 How much is the program? You can take 3-5 collegiate graduate courses for a few grand that are taught by billion dollar hedge fund managers and take away a ton of information (and contacts) and never have to give up any piece of any deal...

There are other programs out there.  I stand by this one because it works for me.

[Chris Seveney]

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

In the first sentence you say "it has made me into a savvy CRE investor"

Then in your last sentence you note "I expect to recoup my training fees in my first deal"...

Can you clarify? As I always assumed someone had to have significant experience to be considered savvy and not someone who has never done a deal.

 Yes, the knowledge component isn't enough.  Neither is finding what looks like a great deal.  Knowing the process is what I found I was lacking.  What the program does is increase your experience exponentially by pointing out flaws in your analysis.  Without Peter's help, I'd have made mistakes from the word go.  This ensures that the upside on any potential deal more than makes up for the upfront training fee.

Think about the fee as "skin in the game".  If you're not going to put any money into a deal, how do you expect to become a GP?  And we all know that "skin in the game" money results in a huge equity multiple for any GP (otherwise why do the deal?)

In that sense, the forced appreciation is way in excess of the fee.  Any deal thereafter with their assistance is basically free.

 How much is the program? You can take 3-5 collegiate graduate courses for a few grand that are taught by billion dollar hedge fund managers and take away a ton of information (and contacts) and never have to give up any piece of any deal...

There are other programs out there.  I stand by this one because it works for me.

 I guess my point is how can you say it works when you have never bought an asset or made money? This is like I am a great pilot but I have never flown and landed a plane. But I stand behind it because "i think" I am being taught properly.

[Anupam Banerji]

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

In the first sentence you say "it has made me into a savvy CRE investor"

Then in your last sentence you note "I expect to recoup my training fees in my first deal"...

Can you clarify? As I always assumed someone had to have significant experience to be considered savvy and not someone who has never done a deal.

 Yes, the knowledge component isn't enough.  Neither is finding what looks like a great deal.  Knowing the process is what I found I was lacking.  What the program does is increase your experience exponentially by pointing out flaws in your analysis.  Without Peter's help, I'd have made mistakes from the word go.  This ensures that the upside on any potential deal more than makes up for the upfront training fee.

Think about the fee as "skin in the game".  If you're not going to put any money into a deal, how do you expect to become a GP?  And we all know that "skin in the game" money results in a huge equity multiple for any GP (otherwise why do the deal?)

In that sense, the forced appreciation is way in excess of the fee.  Any deal thereafter with their assistance is basically free.

 How much is the program? You can take 3-5 collegiate graduate courses for a few grand that are taught by billion dollar hedge fund managers and take away a ton of information (and contacts) and never have to give up any piece of any deal...

There are other programs out there.  I stand by this one because it works for me.

 I guess my point is how can you say it works when you have never bought an asset or made money? This is like I am a great pilot but I have never flown and landed a plane. But I stand behind it because "i think" I am being taught properly.

 I'll just have to go out and close a deal.

[Ng Ib]

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Anupam Banerji:

Quote from @Sam Ojo:

I was accepted into the program a couple days ago and have found mixed reviews but nothing clear for those who have gone through it besides the negatives. I have the extra money for the fees and retainer (15k). Just want to make sure I’m getting great content I can put my hard work into and over time get results. 

From what I’m hearing it doesn’t sound to personal with a limit on calls with Peter. It’s weird they’ve been doing this for 8 years but I can’t find any success stories besides the ones they provide. I’m lost and have to make a decision real soon. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Peter Harris' program works.  It has made me into a savvy CRE investor.  We had one deal fall wash out last year (and I only started in July last year) due to deferred maintenance.  Without Peter's invaluable advice, I would have probably done the deal and have held onto a stinker.  Thanks a lot for that Peter.

I still look at deals every week and yes, the group calls are unlimited.  I find Peter to be knowledgeable and every effective and making the business points that keep me out of trouble.  The work on my end is simply learning and remembering his advice.  Totally worth my time and investment.

I expect to recoup my training fee in my first deal, even after sharing revenue with the program.  For me, a novice to CRE, it's a no brainer.

In the first sentence you say "it has made me into a savvy CRE investor"

Then in your last sentence you note "I expect to recoup my training fees in my first deal"...

Can you clarify? As I always assumed someone had to have significant experience to be considered savvy and not someone who has never done a deal.

 Yes, the knowledge component isn't enough.  Neither is finding what looks like a great deal.  Knowing the process is what I found I was lacking.  What the program does is increase your experience exponentially by pointing out flaws in your analysis.  Without Peter's help, I'd have made mistakes from the word go.  This ensures that the upside on any potential deal more than makes up for the upfront training fee.

Think about the fee as "skin in the game".  If you're not going to put any money into a deal, how do you expect to become a GP?  And we all know that "skin in the game" money results in a huge equity multiple for any GP (otherwise why do the deal?)

In that sense, the forced appreciation is way in excess of the fee.  Any deal thereafter with their assistance is basically free.

 How much is the program? You can take 3-5 collegiate graduate courses for a few grand that are taught by billion dollar hedge fund managers and take away a ton of information (and contacts) and never have to give up any piece of any deal...

There are other programs out there.  I stand by this one because it works for me.

 I guess my point is how can you say it works when you have never bought an asset or made money? This is like I am a great pilot but I have never flown and landed a plane. But I stand behind it because "i think" I am being taught properly.

@Chris Seveney so, what will be your advice for newbies in REI to get the best returns and minimize mistakes. For example, I have a lot of potential deals coming into my mail box on an almost daily basis (SFH though). My main interest is CRE, but wouldn't mind SFH for flips and rentals in the mean time, until I find a decent CRE to acquire. It seems so complex as to where to begin. I've been reading and keeping engaged in REI related subjects and interviewing and trying to generate my "POWER TEAM." I tried joining an REI group around my area, but, the members seem to have minimal experience at best. So, at this point I'm looking to partner up with a highly skilled and experienced REI. I'm hoping to close on a lot of deals this year and just need A "JUMP START" of some sort. Chris you seem knowledgeable, what are your thoughts? Also, I saw you mentioned hedge fund managers for courses in one of your posts; wouldn't mind an elaboration and possible referral info. on that. TIA.