Playing Cashflow, Networking, Wasting Your Time

[Elisha Lowe]

Starting out as a newbie I feel that it is very important to network with experienced and up and coming REIs. I am signed up for every meeting and meetup in my local area. I travel for work a great deal, study, attend classes, and have a busy social schedule. Like yours, my time is one of my most valuable assets and I hate to waste it on nonsense.

Last evening, I decided to meet with a group of people and play the Cashflow board game - I've only played it online before playing with this group.

I really like the concept of the game and was looking forward to discussing the different ways of investing with the participants especially since the organizer is a real estate agent. I'm sure his motives are to increase business and mine are to find people who I can do business with in the future or at least find reliable contacts through. Also, until my partner gets his RE license, I need an agent who is investor friendly so I figured this might be worth my time.

I arrive at McDonalds (location was changed from realty office) and find the group, introduce myself, and jump into the game. The whole time I am asking questions to the group about their work, experience as investors, playing game - networking. One guy gave me his card and we talked about his business which I can see myself checking out in the near future. The organizer shared how he flipped 2 properties after being inspired by Kiyosaki's books and game. I was surprised that I didn't get a card and didn't ask. I told a bit about myself, very little as no one asked or showed any interest. Everyone was helpful in getting me set up with the game.

As I said no one asked me anything about myself so when the organizer began explaining to me what a mutual fund was as he had to explain to another player how stocks work - I was probably rude. I am truly a diversified investor and enjoy the topic of investing and building wealth. I've been investing since I was young and I don't know everything but I understand the basics.

The other thing that rubbed me the wrong way was some of the advice given out while playing the game about real life investing in real estate; I found it to be questionable but no one was knowledgeable enough to challenge, including myself. So I am looking into that stuff now. I think it's important to read up on things yourself. Do your due diligence.

My advice to anyone who is new at this and looking for groups to learn with or from - vet them first. Ask questions to the organizer so that you feel like you are not wasting your time.

This group was a very nice and welcoming bunch and I do recommend playing Cashflow. I just don't think that we are on the same page.