Building a Relationship with Your Real
Estate Mentor; “Don’t Be an “Askhole”
Posted on: 24 Nov 2013 By: Tim
Cook
I saw
that title on an article recently, and I really had to chuckle having just
experienced one of those days. Today, I
just couldn’t resist incorporating it into my article, because it spells out
perfectly in one word what typically goes wrong in a mentoring relationship.
Everyone that has ever started out in this
fascinating business of real estate investing has discovered pretty quickly
that they need a mentor (or three). There is just no getting around it. This is a business that has a million details
and nuances.
Most of us struggle for way too long trying to
figure it all out on our own which is usually a bad idea. The other group
of folks, think that someone can save them all the hard work and just answer
their constant emails and texts so that they don’t have to do any work at all.
So what is the correct way
to work with a mentor?
I have generally found that most seasoned real
estate investors don’t mind helping out new investors. But there are a few of important rules of this
game…
Simply Put; “Don’t Be an Askhole”
You will be required to do most of the work in
building your business. When someone
suggests a book, a particular blog or some other free or low cost material you
should read and study don’t even think about saying “I don’t read much; can you
just answer my (long list) of questions for me?”
Yes,
that has happened to me more times than I like to admit.
Be Respectful of Their Time
If your mentor is willing to spend a little
time on the phone with you, schedule a specific time to talk. Don’t just call them up and expect this person
to drop everything to dish out free advice. Their time is valuable so be
prepared, be concise and keep the conversation short.
Can I Buy You a Cup of
Coffee and Pick Your Brain?
Don’t say this!
The person you have approached for free help;
the one who has information and years of knowledge you value so much, may very
likely have some type of course for sale or paid coaching programs they offer. Or if they are a professional like a real
estate attorney, they charge for their services too. While they are
probably more than willing to answer some specific questions or give you some
guidance occasionally, they are not willing to “give away the store for free”. That doesn’t pay their
mortgage.
When
was the last time you went to the grocery, loaded up the basket with food, and
put your groceries in the car without paying? I’m guessing … “Never”.
When you approach your mentor and ask if you
can “pick their brain”, what you are really saying is “Instead of paying you
the appropriate amount of money you deserve for you time and years of
expertise, let me spend a few hours with you so that I can get all you have to
offer for $2.00 or the price of a cup of coffee.”
Know What You Are Willing
to Give In Exchange
The best mentoring relationships require give
and take. Can you offer something
specific in exchange for your mentor’s time if you are getting a freebie?
If you have internet or web design skills, maybe you can trade services.
At least, be sure to offer. Sometimes that is all it takes; just the offer to
reciprocate and to let them know you will be there when they are ready to collect.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be an “Askhole”.
TMC
Property Solutions
is a Veteran owned and operated premier Real Estate Investment Company and has
been helping families with difficult real estate situations and helping them sell
their houses FAST since 2000 around
the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex as well as offering discount / distressed
properties to rehabbers / investors / landlords at deeply discounted prices. For more details and to take advantage of all
the free reports and other resources, visit us online at www.AllWholesaleProperties.com. You
can also download your free report "How To Find Bargain
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Tim Cook
TMC Property Solutions
1706A Santa Fe Dr
Weatherford, TX 76086
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