Have you been going to real estate meetings and networking for years? Reading everything, taking every class, lurking in all the online real estate groups?
Have you done a deal yet?
What gives? What do all those folks posting deal after deal on Facebook and Instagram have that you don’t? They’re sharing about closing five wholesale deals a week, adding five doors before year-end, or whatever the shiny new deal of the day is. The truth is, they have access to the same information and the same 24 hours in a day as you.
After running MAREI for over 20 years and starting out as a fairly new investor myself, I’ve seen it all. Some people come to three meetings, dive in headfirst, and start doing great deals. Others attend for years and never do a darn thing.
What’s Stopping You?
You’d think that with all the knowledge and support, anyone could get out there and just do it. But it doesn’t work that way.
Many people learn every strategy inside and out. They could teach a class on the mechanics. But something is holding them back—too many things going on in life, waiting until the kids are off to college, or feeling like they need to learn more.
So, what makes the difference for those who are out there killing it in real estate?
The Difference Makers
1. A Strong “Why”
Successful investors have a strong reason for getting into real estate. Maybe they want more time to spend doing what want, went they want, as much as they want. That might be traveling, supporting a cause, or spending time with a friend or family. They know their “why,” and they want that why enough to pick a strategy, create a plan, and push forward despite life’s challenges.
2. The Right Education
They’ve focused their education on the specific strategy they want to pursue. They’ve spent time and money to learn the mechanics, locate the resources, and then they’ve gone out and applied what they’ve learned.
3. The Right People
They surround themselves with people already doing real estate. Whether it’s mentors, partners, or peers, these connections help them overcome challenges related to money, credit, or skills.
4. A Can-Do Mindset
Successful investors get out of their own way. They silence the voice that says, “I can’t,” and replace it with, “I want [fill in the blank]. So I’ll make time, find the money, get help, and figure it out.” They don’t wait for the “right time” because they know it’ll never come.
5. Positive Influence
They cut out the Negative Nellies—friends, family, or coworkers who say it’ll never work. Instead, they surround themselves with positive, successful people – actually successful people and not Social Media Successes.
Think about it: are you going to take advice from a successful investor who has done numerous successful real estate deals or from Cousin Larry who spends his free time drinking beer and complaining about everything?
6. Learning from Success
They understand that success leaves clues. By hanging out with and learning from successful investors, they adapt those strategies to their own journey. If they spend their time hanging out with cousin Larry, what are they going to learn.
7. Accountability
Accountability is a game-changer. Whether it’s a formal coaching program or a weekly coffee meetup with friends from the REIA, having someone to report to keeps them on track. No one likes to admit repeatedly that they didn’t follow through.
8. Have a Plan
Successful investors don’t just wing it—they develop a plan. They set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to guide their actions, while also including stretch goals that challenge them to grow beyond their comfort zones. Most importantly, they break their plan into actionable steps that they can tackle daily or weekly, ensuring steady progress toward their larger objectives. Having a clear roadmap helps them stay focused and motivated, even when obstacles arise.
9. Small, Consistent Steps
They take it one bite at a time. Instead of trying to know everything from A to Z before starting, they begin with A and get it done. Then they move on to B. They focus on one thing at a time, knowing that perfection is a myth.
Taking the Leap
Getting started in real estate isn’t hard. You can join MAREI (or a group in your area) and begin learning and networking. But taking the next step and actually doing deals? That’s where the challenge lies.
If you’re ready to make the leap, take a good look at what’s holding you back. Then address it, surround yourself with the right people, and start taking action—one small step at a time.
Want some help figuring out the doing part . . . we have a couple more articles on the subject you might like from one of our MAREI Mentors Vena Jones-Cox
And we have some great classes coming up on the MAREI Calendar of Events:
