I’ve always felt strongly about doing education seminars for the public as a way to attract clients and to give back to the community. At first it was the First-Time Homebuyer Seminars.  They were successful at the beginning as I was the only one doing them at the time.  Competition decided to get in on the act and my numbers started to dwindle.  It was at that point that I decided to create a seminar titled “Creating Wealth Thru Real Estate Investments”.  With books like “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”, I felt that there was enough interest out there to capture those looking for information in a non-threatening environment.  I advertised in the local business journal for attracting attendees. The ad was specific to what we were going to cover and I held it on Saturday’s for convenience. I also invited my past clients that I felt were high “centers of influence” and encouraged them to bring their friends.

The success from “Creating Wealth” and a number of other seminars that I created with a real estate investment slant produced not only great business for me, but in addition; the attendees started to network with each other and forming relationships.  It was those attendees who requested that I form a monthly group, which is now known as Real Estate Investors Forum or REIF.

What is REIF?

A great book to read is Tim Sanders, “Love is a Killer App”.  Tim believes that the new killer application in business is made up of three components:  1.  Knowledge.  This would be the knowledge that we have learned in the past or learned recently.  2.  Network.  You have to have a network to share your knowledge to or your knowledge is worthless. 3.Share your knowledge with compassion or with “no-strings-attached”.  This is why REIF has become so successful. What started in May of 2004 with 14 people has ballooned to 150 on the average in attendance.  REIF equips the novice and seasoned investor with knowledge in a safe environment.  Topics for the meeting include 1031 Exchanges, foreclosures, retirement strategies, fix and flip, zoning updates, analyzing multi-family properties, market trends, financing investment properties, to name a few. We charge a $15 fee per meeting or the attendee can prepay a year for $129.  This is not a moneymaker, but what it does is bring those who are seeking to gain information or network with like-minded individuals that could be potential clients in the future.  We sponsor an additional 6 to 8 workshops during the year that have a more specialized slant to them such as investing in Out of State properties and lease with option opportunities. These are usually held on Saturday mornings and are half-day workshops.

Creating A Real Estate Investment Forum in Your Area
I’ve had a number of realtors and mortgage professionals from all over the country visit our REIF meetings.  They’re excited when they see over 100 people checking in and wanting to learn about investing in real estate.  We just added REIF’s in Rexburg, Idaho and Long Island, New York.  We are now offering opportunities to develop REIF’s in your local area if you are interested in our format, however; if you’re interested in starting your own group independently, here are a few suggestions.

Getting Sponsors for your Group 
Each forum should have a core group of five to seven real-estate-related companies to sponsor your forum.  Professional sponsors who would be interested in creating a forum in their city include: Realtors, Mortgage Professionals, Insurance agents, title agents, appraisers, home inspectors, financial planners, 1031 Exchange Accommodators, general contractors, property managers and real estate attorneys. By becoming a sponsor, these professionals have a unique opportunity to speak on a regular basis and establish themselves like you as an expert in their field.  They also receive the exclusitivity that you receive as the only professional that can speak in that category.  This is an extremely cost-effective way to market themselves. 

You have to have the right mindset for this to be successful.  Professionals that decide to sponsor a forum are held to a strict code of principles that places a strong emphasis on practical education for serious investors.  While some investment clubs expose their members to the newest snake oil gimmick, REIF is committed to provide information, not an infomercial.  

REIF Sponsors have the privilege of meeting large numbers of Real Estate investors, answering their questions, building long-term relationships and contributing to their long-term success.  As members experience greater success in their real estate investments, REIF Sponsors often have the privilege of handling those transactions.

The end result is that everyone benefits.  Members receive solid knowledge with no obligation, Sponsors have the privilege in building relationships and investing in the success of serious real estate investors, many whom will complete real estate transactions during the course of their REIF membership.

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