Getting discouraged! Help!

[D Higgs]

Help BP!

Very new to the world of REI. Need some help pushing through this stage that I knew was going to come sooner or later. Let me start by saying that i WILL be a successful investor. I'm hungry and motivated to keep learning and jumping right in. With that said.. I'm at the stage where I'm discouraged due to the lack of startup funds. I've read creative ways to get funding (family, hard money, etc.) however my fear is that these are so risky!

Here's a quick snapshot of my situation:

Wishlist:

- a mentor. I'd be willing to do legwork, tedious activities for the knowledge and experience

- continue attending REI events, seminars

Obstacles:

- very little, to no savings

- underwater in home; currently refinancing to MUCH better terms/ costs

In my favor:

- decent size 401k

- passion to succeed/ fight through hurdles

- consistent regular career. Healthy salary.

- newly licensed real estate salesperson/REALTOR

[Joe Villeneuve]

First, DON'T just jump right in. Treat REI as learning how to swim with the idea you want to swim in the ocean. You may be told it's OK if you base your "swimming" in the backyard pool. However, you can, and will, run into problems...even if the water is only waste high.

Second, you need to focus on the "Hows".  How to:
1 - ...find Money
2 - ...analyze Markets
3 - ...use (not spend) Money
4 - ...make a REI Plan...and stick to it
5 - ...take emotions and flush them down the porcelain bus
6 - ...control Risk by learning what Risk is, and how it applies to REI
7 - ...learn the difference between cost to you and cost of the deal
8 - ...separate yourself from the mindset of a homeowner and a REI
9 - ...separate yourself from the analysis of Stocks/Bonds and RE
10 - ...and, How to Do Algebra...in all its glory.