Challenge for BiggerPocket Members

[Benjamin Riehle]

I purchased my first investment property at 18 years old. Over the last 10 years I have built a full service real estate investment group, been involved in 100s of real estate transactions, made a pretty decent living and had a ton of fun along the way. As I reflect back on the last 10 years I can directly attribute my success to two things: First, a persevering attitude, refusing to accept no as an answer and a willingness to outwork the next guy and Second, amazing mentors who always took time to coach, guide and help me along the way.

Now this post is not about me or my journey, but rather about a young college kid who reached out to me 14 months ago via Bigger Pockets. His name was Scott and he asked if I would be willing to talk with him about real estate. I remember clearly thinking at the time: “I have so much going on right now, I really do not have time to get coffee with this kid”. Something in my gut contradicted that feeling and so I agreed to grab coffee. Instantly, I saw much of myself in him. Specifically, he was young, dumb and had no clue what he was doing or how he should be doing it. Additionally, it was clear he was going to do whatever it took to become successful. At the end of the coffee he asked if I would be willing to let him come into the office and intern for our team. Having failed with a few interns in the past I was reluctant, however I got started by sweeping floors at a new build construction site for a general contractor and remembering that I reluctantly agreed.

In Scott’s first 3 weeks I am pretty sure he lived at the office. Although he was still in school at the University of Arizona, there was not a day he did not log at least 10 hours. Keep in mind this was an unpaid internship. It very quickly became clear Scott was in it for the long haul and willing to do whatever it took to provide value. He went from acting as an office “go-for” and moved into analyzing deals. It took some time, and it was a little rough at the start, but slowly he started to grasp the concepts. Throughout the process he never complained, he showed up early and worked late. Eventually he started to show substantial value. The next step was for him to get his real estate license so he could start working with clients and running deals solo. 14 months later and he has become a real estate professional with an extremely bright future ahead of him.

A few of his accomplishments from the past 14 months include:

Completing his degree in economics from The University of Arizona.

Closing 30+ real estate transactions.

Launched our teams wholesaling company that now has three team members working under him.

Created and launched a rapidly growing podcast called ROI: Dream Bigger and Live an Extraordinary Life.

Got engaged to his amazing girlfriend

And is currently looking to purchase his first investment property

This is just the beginning for Scott. In 2018 he is on his way to net $1,000,000 in commissions for our sales team and add begin building his personal real estate portfolio.

My hope in telling this story is twofold: First, to all the investors on BP that are killing it and having massive success in real estate, do not forget the impact your mentors had on you and always try to help the next guy. You never know when the next Scott will be reaching out. Second, to all the guys and gals just getting started in real estate on BP, do not be afraid to send a message or make a phone call to a potential mentor. You have to be relentless in the pursuit of your dreams. You never know who will be able to help you get to where you want to go. Provided so much value that they cannot say no to working with you. Equally as important, if you are given an opportunity, do not let it go to waste. Becoming successful in real estate is not easy, it takes a massive amount of work. If a mentor opens the door, do everything you can to run through it and never look back. Effort is everything, push yourself, venture outside of your comfort zone. As Wayne Gretzky elegantly put it “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.

Stay purposeful, keep pushing and enjoy the journey.