Avoid The Gurus

I've been in this business for quite some time and I've spent a LOT of money and time on seminars, workshops, bootcamps and the like.

My advice: Avoid The "Gurus"

Time and again, the best value I've received has been from folks who have been "in the trenches" for years and only teach a course every now and then because they like the mental stimulation that comes from interacting with other investors.

Here is my Listmania List of Top Real Estate Books For Investors. You should take a look now. I suggest you add the books referenced there to your wish list on Amazon, even if you're not ready to buy one at the moment. That way, when you are ready, they're already there to pop into your shopping cart!



If you're being asked to plunk down $5,000 to $15,000 for some "platinum level bootcamp" run the other way.

The best seminar I ever took lasted all weekend and was put on by Jack Miller (who has since passed away). I think I paid $350 and the information I got was pure gold.

Real Estate Speakers I have attended and feel provide great value:

Mark Warda/Jack Shea on Land Trusts and Section 1031 Exchanges
John Schaub on single family home investing (John used to do seminars with Jack Miller)
Pete Fortunato (anything by Pete is good, but be sure to take really good notes and ask questions)
Dyches Bottiford (trusts and entity structuring. Dyches is a bit pricey, but he still delivers good value)

I have not taken a course from David Tillney, however I understand his sandwich lease/option course is outstanding.

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 Andrew Hansen is one of the good guys in internet marketing. I'm very excited about his new course called Forever Affiliate.


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Take Advantage of YouTube Video Marketing

YouTube continues to grow and can be a major source of targeted niche traffic as well as a big boost to your SEO efforts.

One of the great things about YouTube videos is no one is expecting a slick video production. Lots of people just like you and me put together videos on their kitchen table or just sitting in front of their computers.

You don't even need to show your face or speak if you are shy. Videos can be made to show what you want to show simply with text titles and screen shots.

Bottom line? There is absolutely no reason not to get started posting videos on youTube.

If you're not sure what to do first have a look at this course by a YouTube pro. That should get you on the right track. OK, that's it! I just want you to know that YouTube is accessible and you'd be foolish to overlook its power.

Why Might I Be Willing To Pay A Million Dollars For A House - Sight Unseen?

Because terms matter more than price in a real estate transaction, and I'll show you why.

Consider for a moment that terms are what determine whether a property will cash flow or not. As a real estate investor (as opposed to a mere speculator) cash flow is of utmost importance.

If a property cash flows without fail does it really matter how long it takes to pay the property off? For that matter, if I have guaranteed cash flow, does it really matter if the property ever pays off?

This is why I might be willing, for example, to pay a million dollars for just about any property even sight unseen so long as I can set the terms.

You might laugh thinking "what if I sell him a run down mobile home on its own tiny lot for a million dollars!" Au contrare! What if my terms are: "I'll pay you that million dollars - one dollar a day for a million days. I'll put the property in a trust so that the trust continues paying long after I'm gone."

Now I understand of course that I'm giving a somewhat extreme example here, but I'm trying to drive home a point.

Do you think I could make money, even on a run down mobile home on its own lot if I were paying a grand total of $365 a year? Sure I could! Even if I rented it as is for $300 a month that property would cash flow like crazy. My cash on cash return on investment would be through the roof from day one!

Now...does that mean I could or would run out and make this offer to someone? No, of course not. But there are endless offers that I could make to a seller that is stuck on "getting their price" which still get me my objective of a cash flowing property.

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So what's your takeaway?

Don't ever let price be the sticking point! Price is probably the least most important factor in a real estate transaction!