Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 54%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$69 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
×
Try Pro Features for Free
Start your 7 day free trial. Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties.
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Michael Guzik

Michael Guzik has started 40 posts and replied 511 times.

Post: REIA Groups the worst type of meet up

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

@Dustin P. That's very true I see your point thanks for the different perspective!

Post: REIA Groups the worst type of meet up

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

@Dustin P. thank you for the comment! My question is that I can only get into one meeting for free and I have used the "free pass". Do you think the 20$ per meet up or 200$ membership fee is worth it?

Post: REIA Groups the worst type of meet up

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

@Jeff Greenberg Thank you for the comment! I appreciate your advice and I'm glad to know it's not just me. I seriously am thinking of doing that and will reach out if I end up pulling the trigger!

Post: REIA Groups the worst type of meet up

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

Howdy guys and gals! I have a question.... Every single REIA meet up that I have attended has been some guru, pyramid scheme and/or waste of time where I am just being sold some stupid program, course, boot camp or mentoring opportunity. Not only am I constantly trying to be sold something but they want me to pay a 200$ a year membership fee or pay individually for attending each meeting. I am wondering if it is like this everywhere or only like this in San Antonio? I might be the only one but I seriously think that what these people do is morally wrong and is a disgrace. I really never understood why people looked at me sideways whenever I said I wanted to be a REI and now I think I know. Someone comes to these meet ups hoping for a path to financial freedom and excited about real estate, and they are met with a salesperson trying to shove some program or boot camp down their throat. They then get discouraged and the flame of hope and excitement dies then and there. It astounds me how people do this and are okay with taking advantage of people that don't know any better. I've gone to all 4 of their different REIA meet ups in SA and it's the same thing "Buy our three day boot-camp for $200 now instead of the $1000 regular price!" "Look at my "students" success she wholesaled her first house and made 20 grand! Buy my mentor-ship program for 30k and you can make even more than that in a year!" I just can't stand this stuff and maybe it's just me but if I had 30 grand just sitting around I wouldn't be at this meeting looking for guidance and asking questions.. and I certainly wouldn't be spending it on a program I would be using it to purchase an investment property. The funny thing is that at the last meet up I went to I introduced myself and mentioned bigger pockets, and the"guru" laughed at me and asked what that was, and made fun of me for using the term house hacking. He was very condescending throughout the whole speech and constantly asked me "I bet bigger pockets doesn't teach you this does it big guy?" I looked up his name and his boot-camp and low and behold there was a discussion about him on bigger pockets exposing him to be a guru just trying to sell his boot-camp or mentor-ship program along with the prices of both and what is actually taught in the boot-camp and mentor-ship program(which is next to nothing). To sum it up at every REIA meeting he advertises his boot camp every 5 minutes; which is no exaggeration, then at the boot camp he advertises and tries to sell his mentor-ship program. In the mentor-ship program you must run every deal by him, and have you basically do everything and then take 60% of the profit. Thank you to the person who posted that, and thank you t BP you saved me and dozens of others from wasting our time and money. Sorry for going off on a rabbit trail but this really upsets me, is everyone's REIA like this? I've found the only ones worth going to are the free ones set up by local people or average joe's... Thank you for taking the time and energy to read this and please comment on yall's experiences or opinions on the matter thank you!

Post: What's the best way to screen tenants??

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

One thing that we do for my management company is ask them "how soon are you wanting to move?" This will give you a great idea of where they are in life and their motives. Most but not all that say right away are in a bad situation (eviction or kicked out) and that is why they say right away. I also have noticed those that care more about the amenities than the price are usually the ones that care about the house or property than those that are solely focused on the money. When going to see the property with them if they are late or make an excuse that isn't an emergency or serious issue we don't follow through with them period, because if they are late for the appointment they will be late on payments and other things.

Post: Financing Help on Second Property

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

Hey Monish I believe you should listen to the lender. If you move from your first property and rent out where you were living, then FHA loan or "house hack" the second one the money you save from the lower down payment, along with the money you gain from renting out the room(s) in the first property coupled with the experience you will gain from house hacking, is way too good to pass up in my opinion. It's hands on experience and I really do think there is no better teacher. I'm no expert and I don't know your exact situation but that would be the best path to take if I were you! I plan on doing that myself because there is no better way to learn, and gain properties with a small amount of money.

Post: College or Real Estate?

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

@Ivan Barratt Thanks for the comment! I totally agree with the business degree and that's what I am leaning towards!

Post: College or Real Estate?

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

@Cara Lonsdale Thank you for the tips and advice! I have already read that book along with the others in the series! I read at least 20 pages a day so I usually go through about two books a month give or take. I'll reach out to you for sure though thanks for the help!

Post: College or Real Estate?

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

@Alex Huang I have never really looked at it like that, thanks for the different perspective and comment!

Post: College or Real Estate?

Michael GuzikPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Posts 523
  • Votes 361

@Account Closed I completely agree I think it really is morally wrong for me to get my parents further in debt just to go to college and mess around or not have an idea of what I really want. Thanks for the comment!