GURUS or Promoters?????

[LeadingEdge]

Let me clarify this now that I have your attention.

I have NEVER been to a seminar so i am not saying all are phony or not making money in their own ways. To each their own.

I am trying to find out who has went to a seminar and found that persons knowledge helpful to them in thier way of doing business and would not hesitate to go again without any regrets.

I would like to pick one and go to one but there are so many and ones claiming this and that.... guarntee this or money back and you get the picture or heard it before.

Can anyone say if they dont mind who they went to see and why???

PLEASE DO NOT DISRESPECT ONES YOU DONT LIKE!!!!

I am not trying to get a rivalary going against the bad experiences an individual may have had with anothers point on what is working for them.

DIPLOMACY and some restraint would be appreciated.

thanks for any input

[Aldo]

I never counted, but I've probably been to over one hundred seminars, workshops, etc. and I'm familiar with most of the big names in guru-land. I know of some great ones and I know of some who actually sell info on illegal RE activity. I'm sure there are others in the MB family with similar info. What we need to know is the topic(s) that interest you. If, for example, you don't do short sales, there is no point in referring you to a short sale guru.

The truth of the matter is that most, definitely not all, are there to sell their $500 book and tape packages. Going a step further, many, definitely not all, sell their books and tapes which offer just enough info to get you interested in their $2500 'boot camps'. I know of one who offers a $10,000 boot camp. The bottom line is that you did the right thing by posting your question. We just need a bit more info.

I'll add one thing. Never miss attending a free or very low cost seminar. Never. Not ever. And, that includes the ones which are clearly touting a more expensive one. I catch every one of them that I can. I've been landlording for 29 years and I never walk away from one of those freebies without learning something. If the seminar eats two hours of my time and I learn something that saves me just $100, I was effectively paid $50 per hour to sit and be mostly bored.

[Jim Johnson]

Short sales- Dwan & Bill Twyford do a great short sale class, I would take it again

Accounting- John Hyre really knows his stuff. He ahs great quickbooks templates to follow and a step by step book to follow. His class takes hours off my week every week.

One bonus class- Klemmer, It is not industry specific, but you will learn alot about why you are not where you want to be, and develop many skills to get there. And... Klemmer classes- you pay once and go for life...


Let me clarify this now that I have your attention.

I have NEVER been to a seminar so i am not saying all are phony or not making money in their own ways. To each their own.

I am trying to find out who has went to a seminar and found that persons knowledge helpful to them in thier way of doing business and would not hesitate to go again without any regrets.

I would like to pick one and go to one but there are so many and ones claiming this and that.... guarntee this or money back and you get the picture or heard it before.

Can anyone say if they dont mind who they went to see and why???

PLEASE DO NOT DISRESPECT ONES YOU DONT LIKE!!!!

I am not trying to get a rivalary going against the bad experiences an individual may have had with anothers point on what is working for them.

DIPLOMACY and some restraint would be appreciated.

thanks for any input

[bigp]

You pose a good question. Anyone can put out a seminar and claim to be a Guru or expert in real estate. Because the housing market continues to be smoking hot, everyone's looking to make a buck off of real estate. People come out of the woodwork with courses, seminars, and so on. The hard part is certainly seperating the good from the bad. Sounds like a great idea for a website. Maybe Aldo can go with that idea, seeing he's been to a ton of them. Hint Hint.

[dealmaker]

I'm going to take a bit different tack on this.

I've NEVER been to a PAID seminar! I've been to a couple of the free "teaser" dealies in motel conference rooms. Just enough info there to tell me one of two things, (1) it's worth paying my money for the full pop, or (2) not worth paying a cent to learn anything more". Reread the first sentence of this paragraph to figure out what I learned at those teaser pep rallies!

However, let me also say this, I've had two distinct careers (in addition to REI), and been pretty successful in each of them. I've read a ton of books on different subjects and been to more seminars than I can count. Many of them I paid for, many of them my "bosses" paid for. My opinion of seminars and training books and tapes remains unchanged after 30 years.

NO ONE BOOK OR SEMINAR IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. A book or seminar MAY give you ONE OR TWO good (or even great) ideas that may save you a few thousand, or make you a few thousand on a deal. If a book or seminar does that it was money well invested, if it doesn't, it was money down the rathole.

I came up long before the internet and all these REI websites which offer FREE information. If you study these sites for 3 or 4 months and still feel like you need a seminar to get going then spend the money.

BUT, if you hang out here for 3 or 4 months and still feel you need a seminar then maybe REI isn't for you.

dealmaker

[Aldo]

I must respecfully disagree with dealmaker's last sentence. I've been investing for 29 years and I still attend seminars, workshops, classes, etc. regularly. That includes some for which I've paid several hundred dollars for the privilege of attending the books and tapes sessions. If I attend a free two hour 'teaser' seminar and learn something that saves me just $100, I was effectively paid $50 per hour for sitting and selectively listening. I've never, not ever, attended one that did not repay my costs many times over - in a few cases, tens of thousands of dollars.

If you want ratings (biased, in my opinion) of a large number of gurus, visit John T Reed's website at www.johntreed.com (johntreed.com) There's a link to the ratings near the upper left corner of the page.

[Dan Auito]

I'll go for the couple of nuggets that usually pay me back for years to come, but one of the greatest benefits is staying local to go to your seminars, the reason for that is the NETWORKING POTENTIAL IS HUGE! That is the real benefit in my eyes, the contacts and connections are what help you the most.

[LeadingEdge]

Ok I may not have been clear on my first post.

I was looking for some names of some that peopel actually went to and saw. If you bought their tapes,cd,courses,bootcamps???

I am not looking for bashing of the ones you had bad experience or minimal information gained from them BUT the good ones.

I have been debating on the cruise since I havent taken my wife on one yet BUT I think she may have to be informed ahead of time I would be doing the seminar or she may wonder why I am not with her on deck.
Honeymoon/seminar LOL

I can see this cruise may be a goods thing for me and her as it would show her my romantic side from the conference rooms. :icon_knab :icon_knab

:beerchug:

[Aldo]

You make a (limited) good point Dan. The truth is that I sometimes spend little time at multi-day conventions going to listen to the hawkers. I pick and choose (is that redundant, or what?) the sessions I attend. For example, I rarely miss the OREIA (Ohio R.E. Investors Ass'n.....www.oreia.com) autumn conventions. In '04 I actually did sit in on 2-1/2 books and tapes sessions. (Out of respect, I don't walk out mid-session unless the speaker begins to argue with an attendee.) The remainder of my time was spent networking - but, not with local investors. PPP (policies, practices and procedures) are very regional and I want to learn what folks in other parts of the country are doing.

[Dan Auito]

Your PPP insights are to be well noted by all! (good point) I on the other hand am an acquisitions geared dude so those leads are mighty important. Good relations with service providers get you preferred service treatment as well.

P.S. You can always get a copy of the good stuff from your contacts! I'm not condoning it but if you missed an opportunity to pick it up you could certainly borrow it from the contacts you made!

[Aldo]

It appears we were posting at the same time, hence two successive posts from yours truly.

With all due respect, you were clearly asked about the topic(s) that interest you and you have failed to provide that info. I previously said that there is no point in suggesting a short-sale guru if you don't do short sales. What, exactly, are you looking for? I could provide a bunch of 'preferred' names if I had any clue to what kind of info you want.

I didn't bash any guru, though I could easily do so. Instead I referred you to a site where you could get some opinions.

If you are referring to JohnMichael's cruise, anyone able to be there would be a fool to miss that opportunity. I've been on several similar edu-cruises which cost about double JM's cruise and all of the speakers were hawking their books and tapes. JM assures us that won't happen on the cruise he offers.

[LeadingEdge]

I stated to you in a PM that the reason I wanted to know the gurus and the better ones not fly by nights or knock offs.

I have been paying attention.....I also noticed that a site was given BUT it was also stated to be BIASED by GURUS.

I am looking at all aspects of REI not jsut a specified area of one. I was hoping to see what the general overview is of the more common ones and who is the more desired to go to a seminar.

I am looking at this as not ony an investor stand point but as being in the advertising field I would like to understand the promotional stand poitns behiind the scenes and who are the better sought after gurus of the industry.

In simple terms I was trying to see if there was a possible good mix of having say 3 speakers for a 2 day seminar put on by my company. Reasons I ask dumb questions are not always in black and white.......usually have a motive behind them for a way of thinking out of the box for increasing the bottomline either personal or corporately. Why not research it and ask about my company paying to have these guys put one on and then the company, the gurus and the convention center all make money. I get a free seminar and not out of my pocket or salary and by going to it and staying I have the wirte offs for the expenses as my corp. is generating a revenue.

[Aldo]

While your primary thrust is the various means of acquistion, you have folks here who have little clue about what to do with "the folks living in the sellers property" who suddenly become "their tenants". (OMG, Tenant A said Tenant B's stereo is too loud. Who do I evict?) I'm here to answer those questions.

Actually, Dan, you're right. When it comes to property acquisition, the lokel yokel's are the only people to talk to. Local PPP rules in every case in any area. When local PPP doesn't apply, local law usually enters the picture.

Copies of the 'good stuff'?. Sorry (seriously), but I know not whereof you spake (learned that phrase from dead guy called Shakes Beer) Clarification?.

[eldorado]

Well, As far as ANY of the RE-courses (and I've bought quite a few)
I have this philisophy....
If I get ONE idea or Instruction that I can use to save/make money,
This course is worth it!
A lot are full of hoopla-smoke and mirrors-but its that ONE thing that you can apply to your everyday investment life-that makes the course worth the money.
Education is an ongoing life commitment.
I learned a lot of useless information in high school and college that I NEVER use in everyday life-and all that education, Cost a hell of a lot more money and time that any RE -course that taught me one pratical option I can use.

[Just Information]

LeadingEdge (http://www.magicbullets.com/forum/member.php?u=723) you are seeking unbiased direction on Gurus and Courses and this I commend you on but I will tell you it is all subjective.

It's based upon if the student liked the teacher or not.

It's based upon if they where successful or not.

It's based upon if the student even had the aptitude to even understand the lessons.

You and only you can make this decision and it's done by research.

I'm not talking posting in forums as you will get so many varied opinions you will never get what you are looking for.

I would suggest taking a step back and set in your mind on two or three strategies of real estate investing.

The best way to do this is use the REI forums and search subject matter by reading all post on the subject of interest and evaluate your own abilities and make a determination if you have the ability and means to do it.

Next research your public library on the subject, study the materials, and if it still peaks your interest

Go to a used bookstore and study even more materials on the subject and if it still peaks your interest

Now seek out the teacher that reaches you deep down inside, the one that speaks to your mind and heart

Now before you take the plunge for the mega course order the cheapest item they have book, ebook or course and if it works take the mega course.

I have people who want to take my mentor course all the time but many can not even get past the application process!

You need to seek a teacher that can speak to your inner person not just make you feel good, a teacher that has a passion for their students and most importantly a passion for your success.

I do speaking for one Guru who's only passion is the money, not the deals, not to help students but to profit from their lack of education. Many ask why I teach his people? My reply is vary simple because I know that what I teach is sound and if I reach a student and they apply their newfound knowledge they will be a success.

I am not trying to plug me at all so please do not mis-read this.

Education works like this:

The university that I went to had some of the best professors around so I chose the best professor for a subject from his credentials, facility, staff and student recommendations and I failed - he did not reach me so I had to repeat the same class but with another professor with less credentials, not liked well from facility, staff and students but you know what, this guy brought it home for me - his teachings clicked with me and I learned more from this one man than I ever did with most of my professors.

So let me boil this down!

Finding the correct teacher, guru, course or book is all about trial and error! Welcome to the world of real estate education.

[Tom Aston]

In my opinion the questions is, "Is what is being promoted effective, and can it, or does it do what the promoter says that it will do?"

Any real estate program or method being taught most likely has at least some merit; promotional hyperbole notwithstanding. However, success in using any program or method will ALWAYS come down to the effectiveness and ability of the person using it. Like any method or system, its credibility derived from the results of its use and application.

There is only one thing that can be guaranteed with any system or method that is promoted. You are GUARANTEED to FAIL if you DON'T WORK AT IT.

No pun intended, but there is no MAGIC BULLET. Some systems work better than others for different people. I personally will tell people that the system that I use IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. Those who succed at it have the time, soft skills and determination to do what it takes to make it succeed.

Find what suits you, and what you feel comfortable with and then make up your mind to WORK at it until you get the results you seek.

Thanks!

[Dixiegent]

I recently found this extensive guru/seminar rating website and thought it would be helpful to anyone contemplating utilizing any of these resources before investing their hard-earned cash...hope you find it as informative as I did!
Dixiegent


Here is an alphabetical list of famous real estate investment gurus and seminar organizations along with information about them which investors may find of interest. Where I have a relevant product, it is mentioned and linked to the appropriate page.

[U]John T. Reed on real-estate-investment information
Real estate investment page
Who this page is for
A few observations to make after three years of reader feedback
Why I created and maintain this page[I]


By clicking on the guru in question, you can move quickly to the entry in question. When I got into real estate in 1967, there would only have been about ten gurus, all book authors, and all recommended. The all-recommended status continued until Nothing Down author Robert Allen came on the scene in 1979. Ever since, there has been an endless parade of B.S. artists coming into the real-estate-investment-advice field. It is an embarrassment to the good people in the business.
Please tell me of your experiences with real estate gurus so I can share them with my Web site visitors. Thanks!
John T. Reed--Webmaster/Owner

[Dan Auito]

Thanks for posting Dixie! A lot of people have heartache over John T's harsh criticisms but I too support John even when he does tout his own products as the best. John does an admirable job of nailing the shysters to the cross in most cases.

[Bernie (FL)]

Just joking. I have downloaded a gazillion different free articles on re investing and am getting ready to format them into a manual.

I don't believe in paying thousands of dollars to attend someone's boot camp and add to the fat knot in their pocket.

I have gained valuable knowledge from the great people on here and think once I'm ready to take the plunge that I will do just fine.

Dan is Da Man and I thank him for this forum.

[Dan Auito]

Sign up and let your voice be heard!:beerchug: