TV Real Estate Moguls and Income Property Gurus

If you read certain real estate books, anyone who bad mouths certain techniques, or the authors of those techniques are labeled "dream killers". You're taught not to listen to anyone who would drain your energy. Hey, I hear you. Yet at the same time, I feel that since this site is to share some views on income property, I really need to be honest and share my views on the tv real estate and income property gurus.

It seems there are more than just a handful of systems currently for sale on tv. Most of them offer to teach how to buy homes with no money down, and walk away with money at closing, etc. They usually are a low price, let's say below $100, some below $50.

Many of the techniques taught by these guys are legitimate, working for people every single day. Although most people who purchase the products never put any of the techniques into practice, there are those that do, and there are those that actually make money at it. Not necessarily like the case studies shown on the tv, but they can make money at it.

Here in Utah County, Utah, we've got a few different "mentor" companies, some of which provide services for some of these real estate gurus on TV. According to some of these "ex-mentors" that later came to work with me in the same non-real estate company I work for, the sales of the $39.95 kits, or the $79.95 kits, these sales were treated as leads for the "mentor" or real estate coaches. Once you purchased the kit you'd be called and solicited that "If you're really serious, you're going to want to take advantage of the mentor system". It's all about "If you're serious." And who doesn't want to be serious! So, according to the two former "mentors" of one local company who contracts for one of these big tv names, they were able to sell the mentoring services for whatever they could get them for. If they could get $4,000, they'd take it. If for the same services they could get $13,000, they'd take it. The mentors that ended up working with me knew the techniques very well, yet didn't own any investment real estate, hadn't made any money doing what they'd been coaching. And these were the experts getting paid for their advice? The mentors were working on heavy commissions and were hired for their sales ability, not their real estate knowledge or experience. Eventually, both quit, feeling like they were working in a boiler room and they told me they pretty much felt like low lifes.

So... That's just one thing to be aware of. There are other sources for mentors and information besides the tv guys. The regulars at DealMakersCafe.Com are very helpful, and they don't charge $13,000. Plus, the regulars aren't just salesmen, they're some experienced real estate investors. There are dozens of similar forums with similar kind people to learn from.

Also, I can't tease the tv guys without suggesting a visit to JohnTReed.Com. Basically, John T. Reed is a real estate investment guru of another stripe, and at his site you'll find his views on the tv gurus and people that profit from people's desires to succeed in real estate without really imparting any value. He's especially anti Robert Kyosaki, I had a lot of fun reading his dissection of Rich Dad / Poor Dad. My friends love Rich Dad stuff, play Cash Flow 101, etc. etc., and many of you do as well, it's just something you'll find interesting.