A professional real estate network is the one universal trait most successful investors have in common, and there is no reason you have to be the exception. That said, let’s take a look at not only how important your network is, but also how it can award tangible benefits to those that treat it accordingly. In fact, you could argue that a professional real estate network is a huge contributor to your own net worth. All things considered, a professional real estate network has the ability to be your most valuable asset; treat it as such and you will find out just how capable it is at taking your business to the next level.
1. Getting Advice
Behind every successful real estate investor is a convergence of talent, and your network should be no different. If for nothing else, the sole purpose of aligning yourself with select individuals is to form a symbiotic relationship; one that benefits both parties in a way that makes the partnership worthwhile. Remember, there is a reason for surrounding yourself with the people you do: they bring something to the table. And while most investors network to find deals, there is nothing that says you can’t network to gain knowledge. Provided you have networked with the right people, there is a vast amount of information at your disposal, most of which is just a phone call or coffee meeting away. Provided you have done your due diligence and built a working rapport with the right people, it’s entirely possible to tap into what they know and to learn from their experiences.
2. Mitigating Risk
Your own network is capable of doing so much more than telling you how to approach certain situations; it can also help you avoid those instances fraught with unnecessary risk. If for noting else, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. That said, don’t hesitate to reference your own network and learn from the mistakes of others. It’s not uncommon that the best decisions you will make as an investor are those that you actually never end up making. It’s worth noting that it’s not possible to eliminate risk altogether, but you can mitigate it to the best of your ability. Those that mind due diligence and take the appropriate steps to reduce their risk exposure will find their efforts very worthwhile. Borrow the knowledge offered by your own professional real estate network and use it to reduce your own risk. You will find few things that add more value to your own net worth.
3. Finding Opportunities
Investing in real estate has as much to do with numbers as it does with a professional real estate network. But I digress; the two are practically one in the same. The more deals that come your direction, the better your chances of completing a successful transaction, at least in theory. And a professional real estate network has the power to do just that: provide investors with more opportunities. Provided you have developed a professional real estate network with high quality connections, it’s conceivable that more opportunities will come your way. Whether those opportunities come in the form of referrals, actual property deals or even simple leads is a moot point; the real benefit is having your name at the top of people’s minds in the event an opportunity comes up. If you take care of those in your professional real estate network, there is no reason to believe they wouldn’t reciprocate their appreciation. Those in a tight-knit network are more than capable of taking care of each other, and there is no reason yours should be any different.
4. Generating Motivation & Accountability
Having a professional real estate network in your corner is one thing, but tapping into its potential can yield impressive result, not the least of which are motivation and accountability. All things considered, a network — at least a good one — is the result of a communal effort to help everyone involved. What is a network if not a way for everyone to help and be helped? That said, help transcends the physical real estate deals themselves; it serves as both personal motivation and accountability. While you depend on others in your network, you can’t forget that they count on you as well. The added pressure of living up to the expectations of others, at least in my opinion, is motivation enough. Being held accountable in a professional real estate network should motivate you to contribute. You would be surprised at just how valuable accountability is to a real estate professional.
Your professional real estate network is so much more than a list of contacts to refer to when you want a deal, and the sooner you realize that, the better. While it’s true that a properly assembled network can result in a lot of deals, you mustn’t neglect all of the other benefits that coincide with surrounding yourself with dependable individuals. Remember, above all else, real estate is a people business; those that know the people they surround themselves with are their most valuable asset are the ones that will find success a lot easier to come by. The next time you look to add someone to your professional real estate network, remember just how important they may be down the road.