Have Real Estate Investor Association Groups Played a Role in Your Success

[Don Konipol]

Early on (1978) I joined a couple of newly minted Real Estate Investor Association groups.  I was active in them until about 20 years ago.  They played an important role in my success (remember this is before we could find information and interact on line) because of the following benefits:

1. Exchange of IDEAS concerning notes, creative financing, creative exchanging, wealth building, etc.

2. Same learned from guest speakers

3. Deals done with people I met at meetings

4. Network of relationships formed I could contact if I needed advice

5. Sources of vendors and professionals 

6. Deal flow from Association members 

I believe that in my early years about half my deals originated from Association meetings or members I met (1978 - !998) in real estate investing.  

What has your experience Ben with REIAs?  Have you found them beneficial?  If so in what way? 
Also, if you no longer attend LIVE meetings, do you miss the interaction? 

[Dave Van Horn]

I'm sure I've told this story many times but REIAs changed my life for all the points you mentioned and more. 

It even spurned me to start my own group which expanded into 5 states, 6 cities, and over 8,000 members. This in turn led me to screening speakers (which is how I learned about notes) and even met my business partners who I started my current company I still own today.

I still go to REIAs when I can (I just spoke at South Jersey REIA) and not sure anything virtual compares.