Any Mentors in Southern Cali?

[Ruben Valladolid Jr.]

hi BP! looking to see if anyone can suggest an inexpensive Wholesaling Real Estate Mentor/Program that is moderately priced, or just a mentor that would be willing to take me under their wing. im willing to work for free, just trying to learn, help any way i can, and get my feet wet. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. oh, and is there any mentorship programs i should stay away from?

[Stephanie Dupuis]

My friends/colleagues who have paid for mentoring have been sorely unimpressed. Personally, I don't recommend it.

I have found each of my mentors for free by/through:

1. SCORE.gov - incredible mentor. This is a free gov service (go to SCORE.gov for your free local meet place and mentor assignement) My SCORE mentor was originally for a business I ran. He's incredible and I still am connected with him. He did not know RE Investing. But...when I got involved with REI, he knew a guy was a successful RE Investor and set me up. This was my first RE mentor. The RE mentor owns dozens of multi-plexes and (ironically) was a former teacher of my parents. All free.

2. The other two mentors I found by attending two separate REI professional orgs in my community (the rental assoc. and the REI group). Not everyone finds mentors here. I found mentors within 3-6 months respectively.

Tips: Show up consistently. Be positive. Participate. Volunteer!!!! Volunteer!!! What I mean by volunteer is - volunteer within your professional organizations. If the group needs help - volunteer - be the first to raise your hand to help. Get involved. Introduce yourself to the leadership of the orgs. Both local presidents are my mentors because I sat next to one of them (repeatedly and accidently) and I volunteered to help. I also asked questions and thanked them sincerely (but I did not dominate their time - I asked simple and quick questions). At the next meeting, I very simply let them know that I used their help. I listen to them. I value them. Before asking anything from them, I volunteered to help them with their organization (no one wanted to step up and be on their committees - that's where they needed help - not with their properties. Maybe REI help will come later, I dunno). For now, I see this as the beginning of a mentor relationship. Taking it slow. Both of these gentlemen have helped me with financing, wholesaling, attorney names, title co. stuff, etc. Priceless. And free.

BP is also free mentoring. It is faster and more realistic than anything I know of that you can pay for.