Getting into Real Estate Investing
Are you just getting into real estate investing? Most investors believe you must have experience in order to be taken seriously as real estate investor. To have experience, you must do deals. In order to do deals, you must be taken seriously. So when you are just starting out, how are you supposed to be taken seriously? Here are 6 easy steps to follow in order to build your ‘street cred’ and show people you mean business.
6 Easy Ways to be Taken Seriously as a Newbie Investor
(1) Dress the Part
Being overdressed is far better than showing up underdressed. Make a point to dress professionally whenever you plan on meeting with a bank, property manager, contractor, potential renter, etc. Showing up in a suit or some slacks and a button down will do wonders for their perception of you, as well as your own confidence.
(2) Get a Professional Email Address
Cutekatie86@yahoo.com and DanTheMan99@gmail.com are not professional email addresses. Please, for the love of the internet, get a new one. As with most things, simple is effective. Get one that has some combination of your first, middle or last names. This makes it very easy to tell someone over the phone or in person. This also avoids potentially awkward conversations when you have to explain how your email address came about.
Also, if you’re just getting into real estate investing, consider creating a domain with your business name. This will definitely help people take you and your business seriously.
(3) Ask Questions
Are you about to meet with a potential property manager? Are you going to attend a real estate club meeting this week? If so, write out a list of questions before you go. They will be excited to teach if you are excited to learn. As Dale Carnegie said, “Talk to someone about themselves, and they’ll listen for hours.”
(4) Practice Proper Grammar and Spelling
“UR” instead of “You are” when texting your best friend can be socially acceptable. However, “UR” instead of “You are” when emailing the lending department at your bank is not socially acceptable. Also, do not write in ALL CAPS. This is very unprofessional and unappealing.
(5) Provide Value
Just because you are new and just getting into real estate investing, doesn’t mean you have no value to provide. Here are a few ways you can accomplish this:
- Say “hi” to other new people in new member introductions or forums
- Congratulate other investors on their real estate success
- Leave comments on articles and blogs relating to real estate
- Leave ratings and reviews for Podcasts
- Organize a meet-up or attend an established meeting with local investors
- Start your own Real Estate Blog!
(6) Be Yourself
If there is one sure-fire way for people to not take you seriously, it’s if you act like you already have all of the answers. The real estate investment community is one of the most supportive and friendly groups in the world. Relationships make or break real estate investors. Because of this, everyone realizes that their next deal could come from anywhere, even from someone who is brand new. So don’t make up deals or stats about yourself that aren’t true. Just be yourself! You’re probably pretty good at it and people will more likely be willing to help you out.