How to Build Your Real Estate Investing Network
We’ve all heard the saying, “your network is your net worth.” That famous line rings especially true when it comes to real estate. The best way to learn the ropes of investing in real estate is by building a strong network of solid, personal relationships. Whether it’s a mentor to help you build a strategy, people who have invested in an asset you want to get into, or sponsors or partners you want to invest with, the people you surround yourself with can help you grow in innumerable ways.
One connection often leads to another as relationships and trust begin to build. You never know who you’ll meet that has the power to open big doors or help you in a time of need. The individuals that make up the real estate community are often incredibly supportive and willing to help one another rise to the top because, at the end of the day, real estate is all about partnership. You can’t succeed without working with others.
Intentionally growing your professional network allows you to meet people who are a few steps ahead in their investing journey. They’re investing in the types of assets that you want to invest in and making the money you want to make. By surrounding yourself with people like this, you put yourself in a position to succeed, even if you aren’t sure where to start.
Networking events and opportunities are a great way to find accountability buddies and other investors with whom you’d like to potentially partner with or invest with in the future. As those relationships are nourished, you will learn about different avenues of investing, creative ways to solve problems, and so much more.
A famous saying states, “if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” There is always an opportunity to learn from your network, from personal lessons to investing strategies. These people are a part of raising the tide that lifts all ships. Put yourself in as many rooms of savvy investors as possible, and you’ll be amazed at how much faster you progress toward your goals.
How and where to network
Jumping into a room full of experienced investors might sound scary at first, but it’s actually the easiest way to expand your network. Everyone is there for the same reason - to connect.
Meetup.com is a great resource for a list of local in-person and virtual events in your area. Pick a meeting, change out of your pajamas, and go. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to meet new people through events like this.
Lunchclub.com is a virtual networking platform powered by artificial intelligence that connects you to people with similar interests, both personal and professional. Their social media (@lunchclubai) provides tips and encouragement to enhance your networking skills.
Facebook groups and events are another way to meet local investors interested in similar topics. There are dozens of real estate investing groups on Facebook where investors gather to discuss potential deals, answer each other’s questions, and learn about new topics. Search for local groups and be open to ones that feel just slightly outside of your comfort zone. Groups such as these often host in-person events as well, so be on the lookout for those posts!
Real estate investing or financial independence conferences take those in-person meetings up a notch. These are rooms filled with people deeply dedicated to these topics. Many conferences are niche specific and offer seminars that focus on a specific area of real estate investing. Look for conference opportunities to meet people with similar interests as you.
If you’re comfortable, you might also consider discussing your real estate goals at the office. Many of your colleagues and associates may also be interested in the same fields or know someone in their own network that they can connect you with. People don’t know what you’re into and what your goals are until you tell them. You might be shocked to discover how many people already in your network can help you build connections and learn about new opportunities.
What to say once you meet someone
Bob Burg said, “The single greatest people skill is a highly developed and authentic interest in the other person.”
That is the key to networking. It’s important to always focus on building a true relationship with someone. Ask them about their careers, families, goals, and so on. The more you get to know the whole person, the stronger your connections and the trust factor will be. Plus, you might just learn something new that sparks an idea for you to learn more about that you weren’t expecting.
Try not to focus on what you can gain from the conversation and instead be curious about who the person on the other side of the conversation actually is. Go into things with an open mind and a willingness to truly listen to what they have to say. They will feel your authenticity and often return the same respect. People know when you’re trying to use them to get ahead. Trust us when we say you’ll still get ahead when you network the “right” way, which we believe is rooted in authentic relationship building.
Try these questions when you’re in your next conversation:
What was your motivation for investing in real estate?
What part about real estate interests you the most?
What’s something you learned early on that really helped you succeed?
How long have you been investing?
What areas of real estate have you been involved in?
What are you currently working on?
How do you find your opportunities?
What were your biggest challenges starting off/so far??
What other networking events do you attend?
What area do you do most of your business in?
Is there anything you need that I might be able to help you with at this time?
You’ll find that when you ask a few of these questions, the conversation begins to take off naturally. People love to tell you what they do and light up at the opportunity to talk about their successes and will naturally return the questions back to you, giving you an opportunity to share your journey and look for ways to learn from each other.
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to get out there and meet some highly motivated individuals like yourself. Everyone is ready to kickstart the new year with fresh energy and new goals. Don’t let fear or lack of experience hold you back - remember that everyone started from the beginning at some point.
Happy networking!
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