How many times have we been out to breakfast, looking at a menu showing mouth watering pictures of fresh squeezed orange juice? You know the one — a pitcher of juice surrounded by the most perfect oranges the Good Lord ever made? Then while leaving you pass the kitchen and see them mixin’ up another batch, throwing away the frozen concentrate. Hey, those oranges were fresh at some point, right?
It’s all about expectations, isn’t it? I’ve spoken to investment clubs, and the experience generally falls into three categories.
- Newish club so mostly newbie investors — great questions, solid response
- More mature club, a few ‘leaders’, one of which I inadvertently cross while talking
- The ’1 in 10′ club, interested only in real info, in depth detail, real expertise and advice
After a conversation yesterday with a long time client, I’ve decided what the heck, it might be time to revisit clubs. She recounted a recent trip outa state to her see her brother. They’re both seasoned investors, and he took her a meeting of the local club. She’d told them during a break about how we do things at Brown and Brown, and that we used to speak to clubs like theirs.
Locally of course, I’ll speak for a free lunch. I’ve not spoken to a local club in some time. (At least 15 years.) If you run a club or are a member of one, and you think they’d like to hear me speak, contact me through the blog here. If I can drive there in less than a couple hours, lunch is fine — or dinner as the case may be. Wherever I’ve spoken, the only thing asked is for them to pick up the flight and hotel. I’m a cheap date.
It’s my heartfelt contention real estate investment clubs have been prayed upon by vendors, or real estate agents/brokers who, though they mean well, are not qualified to advise folks on the investment side of real estate. Then there are worst cases. Those clubs where it’s the blind leading the blind. This isn’t universal of course, as I’ve been the guest of many clubs with both excellent leadership, and stellar speakers. It’s not been the rule though, at least in my experience. Heck, I remember a speaker at a club, who, when finished explaining tax deferred exchanges, had me scared, and I’ve done hundreds.
Folks wanna hear how to retire well. They know it takes time, Planning, and commitment.
Bottom line? I’m wantin’ to speak to some clubs. I miss it. There’s nothin’ like a room full of regular folk, hungry to hear something besides how to get rich by next Thursday. Everywhere we go, people tell us we’re the first pros to tell them it takes time, Planning, and work. Nobody’s taken them behind the curtain, so to speak. I love doing that, and do when speaking at seminars. They love the concept of Purposeful Planning. So do we. I’m Jonesin’ here — and in need of a fix.
So if you’d like me to speak at your club, just ask. I’m a pushover.
Go ahead, make my day.
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I go to my real estate club here in Baltimore every month. It is a great way to create a wholesale list.
Stephen — I imagine you’ve been fairly successful doing that. Investment clubs are fertile ground for that approach.
Don’t be a stranger, Stephen.
Hi, I’m a person who’s been interested in real estate for a very long time. Now I want to get my foot wet. Are the investment clubs really a good start for newbies. I’m really looking for someone to take me under their wings in return for doing some of their ground work. Is this a good idea?
T. Casey — In my 3+ decades I’ve personally seen two real estate investment clubs I thought were very helpful to its members. It’s not that their intent isn’t pure, it’s that newbies like you look at folks who’ve either had only a few years experience, or worse, had one year’s experience thirty times.
I don’t say this with a mean spirit, but frankly, most of these clubs are the blind leading the blind. The members are investment book junkies hungry for real info, but getting a whole bunch a nothin’ for all their reading.
The last time I attended a club meeting, was in Orange County, CA several years ago. The speaker was a local real estate broker who spent 45 minutes tellin’ them stuff I wouldn’t tell my worst enemy. And again, he meant well. I asked on very simple question, on point, and he stuttered for a minute beofre
Find yourself a good adviser and follow their advise. These clubs are like learning chemistry from a teacher who’s only three chapters ahead of you in the book. Not cool.
How would know a good adviser when I see/hear one. What are the qualifications to recognize one of the matter? Have any recommendations here in San Diego. What about the sdcia investment club here.
Haven’t been to that one.
I know some folks here, but as agents, they’re sharks, and I wouldn’t do that to you.
They should understand before and after tax cash flow analysis, and a plethora of other concepts. If you’d like to talk, click on the Contact BawldGuy button up top, on the right hand column.