Remember that “Open Letter to All the Gurus We’ve Ever Loved Before blog post?. Judging by the gaggle of comments — well over a hundred and going strong — to say “I struck a nerve” would be a gross understatement.
So now I got this crazy idea to take it to the next level. Let’s crowdsource this puppy, pay it forward together and start naming some specific names, shall we?
But hold on there, partner…Before you cut loose with those choice superlatives, I might not mean quite what you’re thinking. So…
First Watch This…
Three Simple Rules of Engagement…
1) Keep it positive…
No guru bashing allowed. Remember this is about who you recommend, not who you don’t. I don’t need the negativity and neither do you.
2) First-hand experience only…
Please only recommend folks with whom you’ve had some kind of actual positive experience…you’ve invested in and gone through their training at some level, and can actually offer a real-world endorsement.
3) Be specific…
About who you recommend, what kind of experience you’ve had with them, and why you personally endorse them.
This should be lots of fun and help a lot of us out, don’t you think? I’m looking forward to you “naming names” below. 😉
Ok…go!
P.S. – Hey, if you love this idea, then please share it all over Facebook and Twitter — and even embed it on your own website. Help us get it out there!
I can say I give a strong endorsement for Cris Chico…he has helped me immensely when it came to getting consistent leads through the door on a consistent basis…
His knack for systemization has also pointed me in the right direction when it comes to identifying tasks, breaking down those tasks, and outsourcing them.
Alex Joungblood
http://www.LiveRealEstateInvestor.com
I agree with Alex. Chico’s system flat out works. It’s very systematized, thorough and easy to follow. It’s well worth the money.
I also love Patrick Riddle’s Private Money on Demand system — they are VERY responsive.
And for apartment investing, Anthony Charra does incredible workshops & Dave Lindahl’s course is excellent.
Susan Lassiter-Lyons does a great course on bulk REOs too.
Here are a few of my guru friends who I know are the “real deal” and deliver the goods..
Vena Jones Cox who knows the fundamentals inside and out and teaches them…
Regoddess.com
Bill Bronchick who teaches real stuff as well as lives it..
Legalwiz.com
Joe Kaiser from back in the day.. No not just like 2006 like of the newbie gurus..
(you would have to dig up his old stuff, which still applies to today)
Jack Sternberg cause I don’t know anyone much smarter… well, except me.. Ha!
( you would have to catch him at a mastermind where he’ll share his wisdom and soul)
Steve Cook because he came up the around the same time I did, and did it from nothing to something..
REICLUB.com for an amazing amount of info – One of best friends “Tim 2.0 Randall” hosts the site..
Yes, these are all blatant plugs for some of guru world friends… But, only because I know all of these have
real world experience… and have been there done that… and still are…
Hi,
When it comes to RE “gurus”, I highly reccomend Vena Jones-Cox. I’ve been on several webinars with her, as well as taking her 4-day wholesaling boot camp. She is compassionate about teaching the RE business and it shows! Her materials are first-rate- all in plain English – no 24-point fonts with phrases in outline form with lots of white space on each page! The written materials are in text format that you can take home and use! She really wants you to succeed! And BTW, her events are reasonably priced and she caters breakfast and lunch every day of her event.
I think the Letter to the Gurus was exceptionally well written. I have the utmost respect and admiration for someone who can write about such an uncomfortable, and potentially explosive topic with such tact and eloquence. Kudos to you JP!!!
I have been lucky. Having purchased just about everything that came down the line, I have only had one really bad experience. But even with that one, I got half my money back.
I am having incredible success with the Bulk REO course by Susan Lassiter-Lyons. The common sense value she provides is second to none. The practical education gave me the confidence to approach local lenders. I am now hiring a second person to train in her techniques. Compared to the value I received, the price was cheap.
Thank you JP, not only for the letter, but also for the opportunity to share our positive experiences.
I would highly recommend David Alexander. I attended his sub3 bootcamp almost 2 years ago and he is still available. In fact, he is actively helping me right now on a daily basis, without expecting anything in return. And he actually answers his phone. Who else does that? No other gurus that I have seen…
One of the most up front instructors I’ve ever had is Jack Bosch. The man’s material is easy to understand, he is always more than fair, he is a genuinely sincere man that has come across the pond, had to learn a new language and tore it up. He teaches land only, it simplifies RE investing, and the bargains you can get are unreal. I’ve been to one of his 3 day seminars, and it has been some of the best spent time I can remember. His training is so thorough that the first two days I knew exactly what to do in various situations; plus during the question and answer session, I knew all the answers. That’s just how good his training is. I highly endorse him.
Great challenge JP… Shaun McCloskey – Short Sale Intensive Training & Jack Bosch – Land Profit Generator provide some of the most comprehensive and exhaustive training I’ve ever participated in. They give till there is just about no more to give and then they give more… First rate materials and training, but more importantly they are genuine, caring and giving and stand behind all that they offer… Just about as much as JP gives of himself… Ya gotta love these guys… They’re REAL all the way through…
My endorsement is for Tim Mai. Tim is currently teaching (Oct. 2010)…for F*REE to anyone who enrolled in his program – how to wolesale properties.
I have been to Tim’s live classes and he gives and gives information. Tim also had a morning series online (Epreneur TV) where he taught about “mindset” and had great interviews with successful people – again at no cost…just giving more of himself and sharing other’s successes. Tim also had his “head coach” Stan do live calls so we could hear “real” conversations….again at no cost to anyone listening on the web.
Tim’s current mission is teaching 1,000 people how to a deal in 30 days. Tim opened up his website to the students in the 30-day challenge where we can search for deals – – at no cost to us. He has provided forms and everything we need – – at no cost to us.. Every day he puts out a new lesson. I like the fact that the lessons are recorded as I can’t listen at the same time every day. Our questions are being answered on the blog he setup for this training program.
Here’s what makes Tim Mai STAND OUT far above the rest. Each day there is also a “lesson” relating to “mindset” along with the “how to” real estate lesson of the day. The mindset lessons are presented by Doug O and have helped tremendously.
Have you ever been to seminar where “mindset” was taught AS MUCH AS the “how to’s” of a real estate transaction. If not, you haven’t been to a live seminar put on by Tim Mai.
I have always said that God sent Tim “across the waters” for me. I am intelligent but have not been applying all that I have learned over the years from Tim. The “mindset” is what I needed as much if not even more than “how to’s.”
Since the 30-day challenge began, I have met in-person two people who I can wholesale deals to. I have even started making calls again. Picking up that phone was challenging (I truly felt like I was having a heart attack the first time). I sometimes stumble back into old habits of avoiding making calls…but that is only for a few days, no longer months, as I have been able to “catch” myself and work on mindset again.
Tim has set a HIGH standard for anyone who wants to call themselves a “guru.” Learn to give just for the sake of giving.
God Bless Tim Mai and Tim’s students are the luckiest of all ! !
Hands down Joe McCall System is the best out there right now… Also, Wendy Patton the only Guru I know who is actually committed to her students success…
This is a great idea, jp! Let’s see….I’ve secured hundreds of thousands in private money thanks to the training from Private Money Blueprint (P-Rid, Trevor Mauch, Susan Lassiter-Lyons) and they always over deliver…I’ve also used Cris Chico’s system and its a solid lead generator for sure.Steph Davis has a rockin’ Flip This REO ebook and I used several techniques of hers when I was dealing with REOs.
For me, the course “Wholesaling For Quick Cash” by my friend and yours, Steve Cook helped me achieve success as a wholesaler. When I originally purchased the course, I went through it but was infected by the “Bright Shiny Object” syndrome and purchased a series of “sexier”, more media savy courses before even taking action on anything in Steve’s course. Finally took action on the methods and techniques Steve teaches and achieved some success as a wholesaler.
I also have firsthand experience and some success with Cris Chico’s “Virtual Wholesaling” course. His direct mail method is the business model I presently use to attract motivated sellers.
This was a great idea JP!
Shaun McCloskey’s Short Sale Wealth has been quite rewarding for me. Great boot camp and support system.
Steph Davis flip this REO is great. Love her informative videos.
Adam King’s Cooperative Lease Options. He is great about answering emails and has even called me personally.
Wendy Patton. Great courses and staff who care.
For pure content that Works, Tim Mai is great. His tactics work, his positive attitude is super. Also have to recommend Preston Ely, he’s a little different(lol) but his stuff works if you apply it. Jack Bosch’s material is very good & works. Most of the guru’s have good info in their courses, I think it depends on what technique you prefer, & whether you actually implement their programs.
Two thumbs up for Steve Cook. No fluff, hype, or bs, and he truly cares about seeing his students succeed. (I know because I am one of them). 🙂
David Alexander is a genuine teacher. I’ve known him for a couple of years now and am working his sub3 process. He has helped me one-on-one and I’ve learned a lot from him. His advice goes beyond just real estate and into how to structure other investments to get the life you want.
Some of my faves are – Vena Jones-Cox, Andy Heller, Steph Davis and Patrick Riddle/Trevor Mauch/Susan Lassiter-Lyons (Private Money Blueprint).
JP, I must say that I find it striking that there were over 100 comments to your open letter, but when you ask for crowdsourcing around the gurus we love to learn from its like crickets!
My initial comment was a week ago and I came back today hoping to see a ton of comments and learn about some excellent teachers, coaches, and products that I was unaware of. Ah well…I know there are more out there, but the ones listed in the comments so far are great. Thanks for doing this.
Hi Shae – gotta say I’ve been thinking the same thing myself. I thought I’d get at least a strong 20 or 30…but so far…crickets for the most part. I’ll probably send one more email out asking folks to chime in…then just let it grow organically over time. You’re right…some great endorsements shared so far…but I want more! 🙂
Thanks as always for adding value to the discussion.
…jp
I think you’re right, Rissakc.. you have to actually implement! I think lots of people cry “scam” even when they never take action. If you can take even just 1 idea from education you invest in that profits you more than you invested, you’ve got yourself a winner!
Great idea here… love what you’re doing JP! Keep it up buddy.
I’ve gotta give it up to my mentor Louis Brown. Without his training, I wouldn’t be here today. Specifically, his contracts are best – bar none! I’ve modeled my entire business after Lou’s.
Thanks Lou!!!
~ Patrick
Glad to hear I’m one of your favs Steph 🙂
If I can help you with anything, let me know.
~ Patrick
Shae… congrats on your successes with the PMBP system! Thanks for being an action taker. Love hearing that we over deliver… that’s one of our goals with everything we do.
Keep the momentum moving forward.
~ Patrick
Hey Christina… thanks for the shout out on PMOD! If I can help you with any questions, let me know.
Happy Private Money Getting!
~ Patrick
Wow. I am humbled. You just made my day, Amybartola. So often we put training out there and just hope and pray that people take action. I love it when they do!
Woo hoo! Congrats Shae! You rock.
Thanks Christina!!
Thanks Patrick and Susan!
i just joined joe mccalls system a couple of weeks ago and am excited about it!
Del Walmsley and Steve Davis at Lifestyles Unlimited out of Texas. I live in NY, figured out a way to invest in Omaha, NE (disclaimer: LU advocates investing no more than 30 min from where you live) using the single family home business plan model taught by LU. Have my first house purchased, rehabbed and rented within 5 weeks and it will return about 20% cash-on-cash return.
Have my second house in contract now and will return about 30% cash-on-cash. Both houses have 80-100% (on my out-of-pocket) unrealized gain.
Not a knock on any other folks out there, but these guys do draw a distinction between INVESTING and SPECULATING. Nothing wrong with speculation and short term gain (wholesaling and flipping), but newbies should know that those activities are taxed differently and carry more risk.