So you want to get into real estate investing. Exciting! But also, nerve-wracking. How exactly do you start generating returns instead of racking up costly mistakes?

That’s why you might be wondering: Should I invest in a real estate mentor?

It’s a debate I see often on the BP forums and it’s not an easy call. Arguments proliferate on both sides and as someone who has seen the dark side of the guru culture as well as the light of experiencing some success in my investing journey all while spending over 100k on mentorships, masterminds, coaches, consultants, courses, books etc… I thought I would offer my $.02.

Setting the frame:

I am an investor and make my income from being a practitioner of real estate rather than a professor of it. My hope is that you find this article to be a well-reasoned, unbiased perspective and helps you if you’re considering investing in something or someone to make an informed decision.

Dark Secrets of the Self-Help World

Financial freedom

A successful business

Quitting your job in 6-12 months

Join the 1%!

It all sounds so wonderful and tempting but is it possible?

The truth about many real estate mentors is far more sinister.

They lure you in with promises of easy money. Visions of getting rich quick with just a few "insider secrets" and some handholding.

These mentors don't really want you to succeed on your own. That would mean losing their cash cow when you no longer need their "guidance." Their true goal is to keep you dependent and paying those hefty fees indefinitely.

So they overhype unrealistic results while downplaying how much effort is required. They provide just enough motivation and basic information to string you along without ever letting you spread your wings. It's a parasitic relationship masquerading as empowerment.

And those "proprietary strategies" for real estate riches? Mostly recycled ideas you could easily find for free. But mentors know drowning you in lofty promises makes their programs seem irresistible. Even though their cookie-cutter approaches seldom fit an investor's unique goals and local market.

Once you realize their incentives are about exploiting hopes and dreams rather than helping them come true, you start seeing through the sales pitch. Your vulnerability makes you the perfect target. Stay skeptical and don't waste money better spent on actual investing.

Now, the argument in support of mentorship.

Unlocking the Mentorship Cheat Code

We all start as amateurs to the game.

We face challenges.

Our experience points (XP) are low and our connections are weak.

We're not sure what place to go on the map first or even if we do know, the path to get there is unclear.

But what if an expert player who already mastered the game gave you that direction and coached you through it? Would it make sense that you could get there with more confidence and with less time?

The greatest athletes learned from other players and coaches by passing hard-earned knowledge to them. Imparting proven tactics honed over decades of experience. Shortcutting years of trial and error through expert instruction.

Throughout history, mentors have unlocked potential in those hungry to learn. Sir Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” What he was explaining by this is explaining that his ideas didn't come from him alone. He relied on the ideas of those who came before him to get him to where he wanted to go faster.

Real estate is no different. A mentor helps you acquire the tools and skills central to success much faster.

The fundamental idea of investing in yourself earlier to reap compounded returns later is as sound as the quality of the instruction.

The right mentor understands your struggles and stands ready to guide you. Offering a clear path forward tailored to your abilities and goals. You retain autonomy over your journey while benefiting from their hard-earned experience and connections.

Real estate investing is challenging without proper guidance. The right mentor provides the knowledge, skills, connections, support and accountability to ultimately save time, avoid costly mistakes and achieve success many times faster than trying to figure it out alone. That's why getting a mentor is so critical.

Additional thoughts:

I created this to talk about some of the main arguments and marketing tactics used and present arguments for and against each.