Is it a waste of time talking to others about investments?

[Allen Mock]

It seems to be a waste of time talking to non-investors about your investment deals. I work with and know many non interested, non real estate investors who know I am in my starting to invest in real estate and begin asking me questions about why I buy properties. When I give them my reasons for investing they only want to focus on the negatives like, plunging toilets, bad tenants, ect. ect which are valid thoughts, but are a foolish reason to avoid investing. They seem like they just want to bash real estate investing rather then listen to the reasons I give as to why I chose to invest (even though they ask me about it) These people tend to house their wealth, if you call it that, or hold debt in new cars, campers, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and homes, most of which, are quickly depreciating assets. Although I love these things, I don't like the noose around the neck feeling of the debt and many years of hard work to pay for the toy that loses its value quicker then you can pay them off.  

I have many family members and acquaintances  that own from my meager duplex, to as many as 160+ units to draw experiences from. The benefits out way the bad most of the time. Some of the richest people I know house most of their money in real estate somewhere.

It is just demoralizing and discouraging as I am trying to get my first property up and running. I guess I should ignore these comments, but it is difficult, makes you second guess yourself. My plan is modeled after some very tried and true investment strategies of successful family members.

Any of the rest of you guys run into this during your first projects? 

[Joel Owens]

Focus on the people who have been before you and created success. Don't spend time with the naysayers  who want to bring you down and keep you from soaring because they are too scared to take the risk.

They talk themselves into not trying to make themselves feel better about inaction. Having large success is scary and anything with a change that is positive or negative is hard to do because you are moving to a "new normal".

One way to get them to be quiet is too mention you are following other investors who have XX units and have enough cash flow that they never need to work another day in their lives. They can work because they want to and not because they have to and that's a very POWERFUL thing in life.