What I can tell you is that Doug Hopkins does not call himself a 'guru' in any fashion. He has a genuine passion for teaching and for sharing the knowledge he has gained in the two decades he has been in real estate. Think what you may of him because he was on a reality TV show. Real estate is about 'getting your name out there' and mass marketing, and that is what the show did for his career.
I know Doug personally, he accepted me to work beside him as my mentor. He has a local real estate show here in AZ and I listened to him every week. When I heard on his program that he was bringing on a person to train and mentor I called, wrote, emailed...pretty much was ruthless in making sure I was the guy he wanted. My persistence paid off and he brought me into his chaotic world of buying, selling, flipping and wholesaling real estate. He probably thought I was a nut job at first because I wouldn't leave him alone about hiring me. But once I showed him I wanted it to be my future and I was for real, he gave in.
The point of me telling you this is not to necessarily defend the seminars across the country, but to tell you from first hand experience it is dedication and persistence AND education that will make people successful in real estate. There is a huge learning curve when beginning in this business. Every transaction is different, every person has a unique story, and if you can't think on your toes or don't have years of experience behind you (or know someone who does), and you are not a "people person", this may not be the career for you.
People spend tens of thousands of dollars looking for the secret magic pill that will immediately make them rich in real estate. Will you find it at a weekend seminar??
What you will get is great exposure to the business and tons of tips and personal stories of success; but most importantly you will be in a room full of people who either have some experience in investing and even more with a desire to be successful. To me that is the most important part of the whole experience; surrounding yourself with other motivated and dedicated people. From there it is up to you to keep pushing forward and making contacts in your new career to advance your own dream.
At the end of the day you can relate this seminar business to a new gym membership. You can join the fanciest and most expensive gym in your area and hire the most experienced personal trainer the place has to offer. Don't think for one minute they are not going to push you to buy expensive protein powders and yoga classes and continued expensive training sessions. Will they help you lose weight and and get strong? If you stick with it long enough and stay consistent in you goals and show up everyday ready to work your butt off. Maybe having a guy in your face telling you to push harder and lift heavier is the motivation you need to get to your goals; and that comes with a price-tag. But in real estate, like in the gym, you will never get to where you dream of being unless you learn the exercises you need and then get out of your comfort zone and lift some damn weights.
(And by the way there are many hands in the cookie jar accepting your money for this training, not just the people who have their name on the banner).
Just my $.02
Adam
