How to Build Your Real Estate Investor Network

What do the most successful real estate investors have in common? They don’t work alone.

Building a reliable real estate investor network both outside and within your targeted market is crucial for achieving success in the industry. A strong network can provide valuable connections and resources, like access to funding, deals, and industry expertise. 

In this article, we will discuss:

• Why networking matters in real estate investing
• How to grow your real estate investor network
• How BiggerPockets can help you expand your network

Whether you’re just starting out, trying a new investment strategy, or are an expert investor looking to expand your network, these tips will help you connect and build genuine relationships with the right people in the industry. 

Are you ready to build your real estate investor network and work SMARTER, not harder? Let’s get started!

Why Networking Matters in Real Estate Investing

Networking with other real estate professionals is a fantastic way to establish credibility and trustworthiness. As you build a reputation within your network, you’ll improve your communication skills, stay informed of what’s happening in the industry, and may even find and get funding for amazing investment opportunities. 

Let’s explore seven reasons why having a real estate investor networks matters in greater detail:

1. Relationships are a Currency

Real estate is about relationships. Whether you’re fixing and flipping, wholesaling, house hacking or looking for your next buy-and-hold property to invest in, connecting with other industry experts can help you make more informed decisions and better investments. An investor-friendly real estate agent you meet at a seminar may specialize in distressed properties. A selling specialist at your local real estate investor meetups may help you maintain your wholesaling buyer list, while an expert investor can advise you on what REITs are on track to have great returns. Who you know helps open doors. 

Don’t forget: the best relationships are reciprocal. Don’t approach an investor-friendly real estate agent with a ‘what they can do for me’ mindset. Think about their needs and how you can provide value. Do you know a couple of house flippers looking for new properties or an investor looking to buy in the neighborhood? Make introductions, and help them build relationships. Also, follow up on these connections to see how they’re going. The more you can help someone, the more likely they will help you. 

2. Access to Other Professionals

Real estate investing doesn’t happen in silos. Even if you work alone, you still depend on other service providers to move a transaction along. Private and hard money lenders can loan you the funds you need to BRRRR a property. Investor-friendly real estate agents are there to help you buy and sell. General contractors can walk through a distressed property and assess how much repairs will cost and help you complete those major renovation projects that you need. Networking allows you to connect with these people—and more!

3. Improve Your Communication Skills

Real estate networking helps you talk about your work. It’s the perfect way to master your new pitch, build confidence in what you do and learn what questions you will be asked and how to answer them. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. 

4. You Can Stay Informed

Real estate investing is a massive industry, and things are constantly shifting and evolving. Many networking events have panels or guest speakers where industry experts share their experiences and educate you about their business. By interacting with other investors specializing in what you do, you can also learn about new developments and opportunities. 

5. You Can Find New Deals

Networking helps you expand your contact list. Not only do you get to know other industry experts at a networking event—but you may also gain access to who they know. The wider and more active your network, the more exposure you have to potential deals. 

6. You Can Get Deals Funded

Many real estate investors work together to help find and fund deals or sell deals to one another. By building relationships with other investors through networking events, you’re more likely to get the “Yes!” when making a pitch. 

Networking also gives you access to lenders who may be looking for new investments. A hard money lender is more likely to invest in your next venture if they know you and trust you know what you’re doing. 

7. You Find Referral Partners and Team Members

Networking lets you meet people you wouldn’t meet otherwise. Sometimes your referral partners may not even be in your industry. You may meet a chiropractor at a chamber of commerce meeting who has five real estate agents as patients or a painter who knows a motivated seller. 

Networking events may also introduce you to future team members, like realtors, property managers, general contractors, and lenders You’ll never know if you don’t attend.

How to Grow Your Real Estate Investor Network

The best way to grow your real estate investor network is by attending networking events. Here are a few to consider:

Small Business Networking Groups

Networking groups like your local chamber of commerce, rotary clubs, and Business Networking International (BNI) exist to help small business owners and entrepreneurs connect. Typically, these networking groups have regular meetings (either virtual or in-person), membership dues, and may follow a specific format. For example, BNI meetings have an agenda, and each member gives a commercial about what they do and who a good referral is for them. 

Professional Networking Events

If you Google “professional real estate networking events” right now, you will get an exhaustive list of upcoming events online and in your area. Better yet—these events come in all forms: happy hours, luncheons, galas, open houses, trade shows, and more! All you have to do is register and show up; in some cases, you don’t even have to register.

You can also try Meetup, a massive online community created to help others build their networks and relationships. BiggerPockets shares and posts about meetups in the forums.

Conferences and Seminars

Conferences and seminars specifically created for real estate investors allow you to meet dozens or hundreds of new contacts in a single event. All types of industry professionals attend these events. Usually, they’re also looking to grow their networks and learn about new opportunities. You never know who you may find at one!

Social Media

Facebook, LinkedIn, and Alignable have multiple groups geared toward real estate professionals. You can also follow industry-specific hashtags, like #propertyinvestors or #iwholesalerealestate.

Building a social media presence requires playing the long game, so when you join groups or follow hashtags, stay engaged and post consistently. You’re unlikely to build a network right away, but the more active and engaging you are, the more likely your followers are to perceive you as a thought leader. 

Travel Events

Are you looking for a short-term rental in a high-tourist area or want to enter a new market? Take a trip to visit these properties in person and attend a local networking event while you’re there. Plan your trip accordingly by looking up local real estate professionals, like agents, investors, attorneys, and lenders, and schedule coffee or lunch meetings with them. 

Consult your accountant before planning your next trip. They’re usually tax deductible.

Expand Your Network With BiggerPockets

BiggerPockets is your complete resource for anyone looking to succeed in real estate investing. We offer content, tools, and a network of over 2,000,000 members—any of whom can become your next referral partner, dealmaker, or financier. 

On our network, you can search for: 

• Real estate agents
• Investment companies
• Mortgage lenders 
• Hard money lenders
• Contractors 
• Insurance companies

You can also build your team or search for specific members, jobs, and meetups.

Do you have a question or need advice? Our forums give you access to the world’s largest real estate investor network!