CREW has never been shy in its belief that real estate is a business, and that\u2019s not just because of the dollar signs. Real estate involves the same levels of planning, strategizing and execution that undergird every successful business.<\/p>\n
But according to Linda and Keith Perrin, co-founders of All-Ternative Solutions, many investors new to real estate don\u2019t realize the importance of creating a sound, business plan and investing footprint. It\u2019s a situation they hope to change as they welcome a fresh crop of investors into their real estate training program.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the people we come in contact with think \u2018I want 1,000 doors in ten years\u2019 is a business plan,\u201d Keith says, \u201cbut a phrase like that is a dream or a goal, not a plan.\u201d Without a proper, revisable business plan \u2013 which allows investors to chart their progress, tweak strategies and make sounder decisions about their properties \u2013 too many investors are just hunting in the dark, hoping to get lucky.<\/p>\n
But novice investors with no business experience may find creating a business plan daunting and, ultimately, discouraging. That is why the Perrins make building a business plan and footprint central to their teaching. At their upcoming three-day training event, taking place in North Bay, Ontario, from February 14-16, all attendees will be leaving with a completed, fully personalized business plan that will put them in a position to buy their first property.<\/p>\n
Attendees will also learn, in a small group setting:<\/p>\n
Mentoring done right<\/strong> While a number of these hopeful new investors do wind up buying properties, that is only one part of the battle. Without a support structure in place, many of them will still struggle to realize their goals. That is why the Perrins also offer their clients a wide range of mentorship services.<\/p>\n But don\u2019t call it a program<\/strong> Instead, Linda and Keith offer affordable, ongoing mentorship ($250 a month for six months) that puts them in direct touch with their clients. From combing through the fine print on an offer to answering questions about what the best investment neighborhoods are in, for example, Dayton, Ohio, investors who align themselves with the Perrins are granted access to a wealth of expertise built over the course of thirty years of flipping and house-hacking (Linda) and decades of commercial property sourcing and team-building (Keith). The Perrin\u2019s have also built an extensive list of contacts \u2013 which has proven to be a lifesaver for more than a few clients \u2013 and teach investors how they, too, can build their own valuable network of professionals.<\/p>\n \u201cWe show people how to build their own teams of building inspectors, realtors, lawyers, and contractors \u2013 proper ones, not people who picked up a hammer and said, \u2018Hey! I\u2019m a contractor!\u2019 \u2013 in a number of highly profitable US markets,\u201d Keith says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe give them the information they need to get started and to build connections,\u201d adds Linda, \u201cand we hold their hand through the entire process. We teach people enough information so they can purchase their own properties, but everyone learns at a different speed. If someone needs more help to be comfortable with investing, we\u2019re here for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nKeith and Linda are no strangers to the disappointing returns delivered by many real estate training courses. Rather than arming attendees with practical information, these events are often little more than opportunities for the promoters to upsell their clients, leaving them to fend for themselves.<\/p>\n
\n\u201c\u2019Program\u2019 implies that it\u2019s the same system for everyone,\u201d Linda says. \u201cBut if everyone is an individual on their own path, how can a trainer ethically tell every investor to follow the exact same steps regardless of where they live or what their situation is?\u201d<\/p>\n