I go several networking events a week that are really a venue for "gurus" to hawk their most recent get rich quick scheme.

I have a great visual aid: "Hey son I would like to make a legitimate offer to you.

@Nick KenrickYour questions are legitimate, but you're probably not going to find much sympathy for your ideas on this site.

Situations like this are ripe for fair housing complaints and supreme court precedence would give someone a legitimate case.

Credentials - Earn a real estate brokers license, CCIM designation, any legitimate real estate and or financial designation or license3.

Real Estate can be a low risk venue for getting yield on capital you already have but exactly the opposite for building wealth IF you don't know how to create true value.

How does one know which ones are legitimate and which ones are scam?

It’s been very mixed as far as guests, fishing tournaments, youth sports tournaments, there’s a popular  wedding venue, DC weekend getaways, stopovers for travelers making a long drive, visiting family in the area and even some longer stay traveling employees. 

@Elise Bickel in your experience has it generally been a matter of perseverance or have you seen legitimate roadblocks that shut it down?

Sure, learn about REI and other venues too.