Hello BiggerPockets investors!

[Israel Smith]

Hello BiggerPockets Community! My name is Israel Smith and I'm interested in meeting or establishing a relationship with any mortgage bankers in the city of Charlotte, NC. I've been looking into becoming a real estate investor, but I lack the experience and more importantly the relationships that are necessary in order to really get my feet wet, but I'd like to change that by finding someone who can answer a few questions. I'm around the North Charlotte area so if you want to meet up I'd be willing to get together for coffee or just start an email chain if you would like. I would like to be able to work for anyone who requires a service of some sort and in exchange receive knowledge about how to get started with investing. I can do anything from mowing lawns to performing as an administrative assistant for your business but I am more than willing to work for what you can offer. Hit me back at anytime, I'll be on the forums a lot tonight and tomorrow so feel free to respond during that time.

[Christopher K.]

Israel,

I don't operate in the Charlotte market but just wanted to say you're on the right path realizing and offering something of value (your time and sweat) when asking for something from someone (an investor's time and experience).

Asking questions on a forum or at a REIA meeting is one thing. Asking someone to grab coffee for general two-way networking purposes is totally cool too. But I see way too many people brand new to the REI game asking for someone to mentor them in one form or another without even giving a thought to the fact that very few (good) investors are going to be willing to work with someone for nothing.

For me, and I think most other experienced investors, it's far less about what I'm directly getting or benefiting from the other person (cheap labor isn't necessarily hard to come by) - it's that it can be an indicator of how serious and committed that person is about learning and investing in their education.

Keep studying and networking. Start attending your local REIA meetings also if you're not already and start shaking hands and meeting as many people as you can. Ask questions. Also, don't necessarily just show up one time to a REIA meeting and expect seasoned investors to want to work with you (they might). Start showing up month after month. When people begin to recognize you and see that you're there for the long haul and to be part of the community, many will be much more likely to be willing to work with you in the capacity that you're looking for.

Good luck! You can do it.