Best probate training course?

Question

Anyone have any recommendations on probate training courses for real estate investors?

Was looking at this one which is very affordable: https://buyprobateproperty.com/

Any others worth looking at?

Mark Pedroza · Answer

@Michael Merritt 2 good books to read regarding probates; How to Probate an Estate in California by Julia Nissley and Inside a Probate Sale - A Real Estate Agents Guide by Gayle Braswell Ellison. Both are good for bedtime reading BUT as you start reading Inside a Probate Sale you may have a hard time falling asleep.

Mark (N-CA)

Sac/Placer counties

Mark (N-CA)

Sac/Placer counties

Rick H. · Answer

Did you attend the SF Bay Summit last weekend in Oakland?

I spoke Saturday morning And kept it very short, primarily on what to look for and what NOT to look for.

The big challenge that you have with most probate trainers is that they make their money from information product marketing. This always bothered me when I was a trainer for a nationally known probate pitchman. After all, I made all my dough doing real estate deals, not selling courses.

If you buy Foreclosures at trustee sales you get to know the courthouse steps. If you want to learn about probates you'll eventually gave to go inside!

Before you go investing any money in training, I suggest you so end a morning at your local probate court, both inside the courtroom and in the file archives and meet the clerks. Pull some actual files, watch and listen to the attorneys, their client's problems and the judge and courtroom staff.

Hopefully, this will give you a better sense of the world that I've worked in for over 25 years and nearly 2,000 deals. Best of luck!

Rick H. · Answer

Your biggest challenge with probate training is that much of it is, essentially, a less-than-exciting topic.

I can say that with confidence and much experience both doing deals and training others.

I won't use name however I used to teach for other trainers and quickly dud offered that they didn't really do deals. My BS detector was repeatedly flagging in the Orange/Red and it was because these promoters wet not authentic and made their living from training, not their investments. That made me sick to my stomach because I jeopardized my reputation with these characters.

Paul Horn is a nice guy and a good marketer. I see he uses some of my marketing material for attorneys but I don't mind him doing that.

The simple truth about probate training is that, IMHO, you need enough education to recognize what you have when your marketing has put an opportunity in your lap. If it's an open probate you need to know how to control the deal. If it's prior to private you need to know how to control the deal and how best to pass marketable title.

Personally, I've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on my own training.

The reason I rarely offer training is because people bitch about having to study and don't want to pay for information. So, until I see the benefits of the cost and effort to train others, it gets put on the back burner due to insufficiently motivating me.

Meanwhile, theres a market that I can continue to influence as much or as little as I wish. I work all 58 California counties!

Kathy Villagomez · Answer

I have found Paul Horn's probate materials very helpful.  He has a website and is a probate attorney based out of Southern California.  He does a lot of training geared toward agents however he also has materials for investors.  I have seen him present at our local women investors group. He was great!

Michael Merritt · Answer

Appreciate that, thanks Mark. Another program that came highly recommended to me from a couple people was Rick Ginn's Probate Priority program which looks great. Only downside I see is it's not CA specific.

Michael Merritt · Answer

Hey Rick! Yes, I was there and saw your discussion. Actually last night I was laughing with my wife about how you opened with your 'I'm an opportunistic bottom feeder' line. Next time they'll have to give you a longer slot.

I looked on your website last night and didn't see any courses but maybe it's because of what you just said.

That's good advice and I can definitely attend the court and do the process first hand. Just finding the time is hard with a full time job, so that's where my want to watch or read something in the evenings comes in... But if I gotta find the time then I'll make it happen.

Thanks Rick.

Michael Anderson · Answer

good luck

Michael, there are challenges when dealing with probate procedures, laws, etc from state to state, here in Louisiana its very difficult dealing with these types of properties, but like most of all investors(envestors) have mentioned already be sure to due you due diligence before you jump in!

Andy S. · Answer

@Michael Merritt

Hi Michael, did you find any interesting course on probates in California ?

Mark Pedroza · Answer

@Michael Merritt Did I mention where you could purchase both books? Sorry about that. You can Google both titles as where to purchase or you can try Amazon (Hope it doesn't get deleted)

Good luck...

Michael Merritt · Answer

ah I did miss PMS on the site.

Best probate training course?

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