How to get a mentor in the real estate business

[David Rincon]

Hello, real estate community. I'm a 21-year old newbie with no properties. I've been gradually learning about real estate and I realized how important it is to have someone who teaches you first hand. Tomorrow night I have a one-on-one meeting with a millionaire condo investor I would love to have as my mentor. How should I approach to entice him to keep in contact with me? What should I say and what should I keep to myself? What should I know beforehand? Any other advice to make my biggest move so far in my investing career? 

Thank you, guys. I really appreciate your help. 

[CJ M.]

@David Rincon

Be humble, period. The conversation is not just about you.

Understand that successful people value their time. Take it as a privilege he's taking time out of his day to talk with you. Instead of trying to ask a ton of questions right off the bat that will only benefit you, just be yourself, get to know each other first. Show genuine interest in what he does. That said, you want to have questions ready to go when the opportunity presents itself to show you're not wasting his time. He'll want to know you're committed to this business. While he may only want to have a conversation to help you, he's probably also asking himself what can you do for him that gives him an ROI on his valuable time? Is there value you can add to his life that makes him want to continue to educate and engage with you? For example, can you help with some of the labor on his properties as a learning experience? Etc.

All that said, just remember this, people do business with people they like. Be genuine, sincere, and hungry!