How To Start Investing As a Woman

Question

it is well known that investing in real estate is ran by men. There are few women in the industry.  What are some tips for women that want to start investing?

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

@Shama Jones maybe in the wholesaling part of RE.. but in RE sales its totally women dominated.. it changed about 30 or so years ago... there are top Male agents but most of your top agents are females.

No way is RE male dominated. maybe certain niche's but not in the sale of SFR's

No way is RE male dominated.  maybe certain niche's but not in the sale of SFR's

Linda Weygant · Answer

"it is well known that investing in real estate is ran by men."

Nope.  This is baloney.

The only niche where I've seen this is true is for people who do their own rehab and do all the work themselves.  When I meet those folks, they are usually men - but not all.  I do the bulk of the work myself and I know other women who do as well.

Investing is not gender specific.  The only thing women can do that men can't is have babies.  The only thing men can do that women can't is write their name in the snow.

It's your own gender biases that will hold you back, not others'.  My advice is to quit that line of thinking right now.

Michaela G. · Answer

Approach the subject of real estate investing as a person and not as a woman. While there may be differences on how you may get treated by some, there are advantages and disadvantages. Figure out what you're good at and work it the way you are, regardless of your sex.

Jean Bolger · Answer

I'm curious where you got this idea, because it does not match my experience at all. Well known by who?

Any person who wants to start investing needs to start in the same way: get educated about the various facets of REI (this is a great place to do just that), pick an area of interest and jump in.

Account Closed · Answer

@Shama Jones

I agree with you as to what I've witnessed.  I know plenty of male investors but not as many women.  I also do not consider being a real estate agent an investor.  They are still trading time for money similar to a job.  Furthermore the majority of agents don't own property outside their primary residence. Nothing wrong with being licensed I'm contemplating getting mine.  However I do believe real estate is an equal opportunity playing field.  It's a shame more women don't partake in it.  Find a good mentor male or female and learn all you can.

Good luck

Account Closed · Answer

The way I approach success (or journey to success) is multi-fold, whether it pertains to RE, corporate world, home life, etc.

- Educate myself, make sure I know enough (will never know all) to be articulate and know what I am getting myself into.

- Recognize there is always some measure of risk and be ok with that (by making sure you are not risking EVERYTHING and then have a just-in-case plan)

- Know my own strengths and weaknesses

- Overcome weaknesses by putting myself in uncomfortable situations that force me to perform or sink. I might sink or bob up and down the first time, but I make sure I damn well swim the 2nd and 3rd times, etc.

Example - I don't like talking to people and don't like to negotiate (never have, never will), but I talk to brokers, sellers, contractors all the time and I negotiate. If you don't ask, you don't get. Even at work, I am now comfortable making presentations to the CEO and 25 other execs all together about the state of the business and forecast for the following year, what's good, what's not good, what we're doing about it. Did I at first hate doing it and get anxiety - yep. But I always make sure I am prepared with the correct data and strategies, then it's a matter of telling a story and reading the audience. I still don't like to do it, but I now know what would make those presentations a success by just doing it so many times. I ensure my prep is spot on.

Also, I used to sell vintage home decor and furniture (loved it!). I went to estate sales every single weekend and negotiated my butt off. Didn't like it, but the more I did it, the more comfortable I got and armed with product knowledge, I usually got what I wanted at the prices at I wanted. I pretended (in my own mind) to be an American Picker, until I actually felt like, thought like and acted like one.

- Be a problem solver, be the fixer. Recognize a problem, if there is one. Don't dwell on it. Plan the fix and move forward. Lay out the issue, lay out the solve and delegate the action items to your team- whether it's your RE team or corporate world team or family.

- Even though I feel like yelling and punching some folks at times, I know sweet is better than sour.

- Bottom line - as I approach 40, I deal with life and obstacles as if I have no time for BS (I don't). Basically, I'm a grown-a$$ woman and I will take care of business. Sometimes it's all fun and games, but the real growth comes when you keep at it even though it's uncomfortable and so not fun. It's just like endurance running and other sports - there is no growth in the comfort zone, push past it and that's where the real magic happens. Runners approaching the 20th mile in the summer heat will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Mary Clare Archer · Answer

Hi @Shama Jones,

I agree with everyone who has said that women are not at a disadvantage in real estate. I'm a woman who just became an agent and I fully intend to have a successful career. If you are confident and competent, you will draw people to you.

Have you heard of the law of attraction? It basically means that if you think "I'm an attractive and lucky person. Good things happen to me!"... good things WILL happen to you! You'll attract good things to yourself by self-affirmation. It's worked for me so far!

If you stay positive and learn as much as you can about the industry, you'll be a rock star.

Good luck!

-Mary Clare

Michaela G. · Answer

@Patricia Joseph , I'm German, so, I hate negotiating anyway.  When I was wholesaling vacant lots, all of my builders knew that I offered them a firm price, not negotiable, take it or leave it. ;-)

Dawn Brenengen · Answer

@Shama Jones You do it just like a man but better!  Women typically have great people skills, are wonderful at building trusting relationships with people, and can sweet talk themselves into a great deal.  Use your strengths and go!

How To Start Investing As a Woman

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