There is Value in Networking - Even Virtually

[Kathleen Osborne]

Remember all those meetups prior to COVID? Or maybe you are new to real estate investing and never attended a meetup. There is value in meetups. They put you in touch with other like-minded investors who share their knowledge. Knowledge sharing helps you ramp up quickly.

Just because the meetups have practically dried up, doesn’t mean there is no networking to be found. Join some Facebook groups who discuss topics you are interested in. Here are a few where I’ve found valuable insights:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/airbnbmasterminds
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/911671659592801
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/LadyLandlords
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/therealestateinvesther
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/596826830955873
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/Travel.Nurse.Landlords

One simple question posted on one where I asked for feedback on Cozy vs. RentRedi, generated 115 comments in a little over 24 hours and put me in contact with two excellent resources in my small town. Those two contacts gave me so much more than feedback than what I was looking for with my post about two apps. They gave me details on local monthly rents, access to leads for my furnished rental and suggestions for enhancements that will allow me to easily increase my rent without spending much more money. Now that is valuable and actionable information. They “want” to help this newbie. I’m smart enough to know I need all the help I can get and I’m thankful for these two contacts.

Of course information is only as good as what you do with it. Don’t get bogged down in analysis paralysis like I did for nearly 5 years before taking my second step in the real estate investment world. Now I spend a little too much time beating myself up for lost time. Fortunately, my new found contacts won’t let me stay in that space long. We are sharpening each other and helping each other take the next bold step.

Find your network! Even if it is online.