Newbies: Struggling with Real Estate

There’s no question that we believe in the power of real estate investing and the wealth and freedom that it can offer in our lives or we wouldn’t be here, right?

If you’re anything like me, you may have spent some time thinking about investing and daydreaming about it before actually taking some active steps to really do something about it.

It was hard on me at the onset of my decision to become a full-time investor and take the plunge to either sink or swim and in today’s market, it has to be even harder for people.

I applaud those of you that are able to recognize the true possibilities that still exist in this business- despite what you hearing in the media, amongst certain friends and other people that are in serious fear and survival mode.

This is a time when investing is even more difficult on beginners…it really is- but it’s not impossible.

Month after month, day-after-day, I work with new investors and share experiences with seasoned investors where I discover that we’re all dealing with some of the same obstacles. Know this, there are cycles and situations in every aspiring investor’s life where we experience a certain degree of frustration, confusion and lack direction. It’s at that time, where we might begin to compare ourselves with other investors that we either see or hear about and may start to wonder if we measure up or not.

Reflecting on my own road, I can see the twists and turns on my road to full time investor and in hindsight, I would have taken right turns in places where I took a left turn because I didn’t know any better. What I am proud of is that of my courage…I made a decision and I took action and I didn’t stop taking action. Not all my actions were “right actions” but I would never have become an experienced investor, had it not been for some of those same character building and business building mistakes that contribute to experience, strength and persistence.

Those of us that have spent our hard earned money on seminars,courses and other types of real estate education with the hope of  greater returns has felt or may be feeling the choke-hold of our dreams slipping away. Real estate education is a 500 million dollar a year business, if you can believe that and get this…less than five out of one hundred actually go on to realize any success in the business. We all want that economical freedom, the lifestyle of our choosing and we want to own our time to use as we desire.

This bring me to the reason that I started my real estate investors club (FEC) and this platform at The Mentor Network because we all need each other and together we can go far. I don’t want you to end up on the wrong path or give up before you realize your success, your dreams.

I’d much rather see you spend your time and money on worthwhile support and mentoring that will help you to meet with the success that you desire as quickly as possible. The Mentor Network exists to help you get and remain on track with the help of many minds collaborating to being you the best real estate resources out there.

To succeed in real estate you’ll need to have certain skills already or take the time to develop those that are required for you to make it happen. For me, that included taking the time to teach myself more about the internet, disciplining myself to time management, marketing, networking, basic spreadsheets, basic accounting and things like that.

It took some time. It took determination, persistence and the humility of asking people for help- which I didn’t want to do at all!It turned out to be the best thing for me and those people are still in my life today and we continue to be of support to one another. How great is that?

I’ve had to develop some skills in other areas, take online classes, being willing to learn and try something other than what I thought I knew by having various mentors and support systems in my personal life in order to build my real estate business.

If you’re willing to invest the time, energy and effort necessary to really do this- then stick around, don’t give up and real estate will change your life.

To your outrageous success in 2010,

Karen