I love this post because as a newbie, I didn't come in with any grand ideas that I was going to get rich quick off of real estate. Granted I don't have the best credit in the world and I don't have a whole bunch of money either (see my blog post and you'll get a greater understanding of that), but one of the things I do have that someone mentioned is both time and an educational advantage over the people that just watch Flip this House and other shows and they think it's easy. It's not. I looked at probably 15 houses before I even submitted my first offer on one, and that one was rejected. I then looked at another 20-30 properties before I finally found the one I purchased earlier this year. But by the time I got to the point where I could purchase it, I had done so much research and learned so much about real estate just from having conversations with people while networking, talking to people that are already immersed in the arena, and from reading everything I could get my hands on that might help me further my endeavors, I was able to put some of it together on my own.

The reason I'm searching for a mentor now is so I can refine the process. I could go out all day and find properties by myself because I already have a power team in place (mortgage broker, realtor, appraiser, title company, etc.) to help me close my deals, but I want to get better and more efficient for the long run because I plan on being in this for the long haul. And everyone is right. This is a business that takes time but most people think you get rich overnight. Yes, you can make a good income if you're positioned right, have a sound business plan but more importantly an exit strategy, but if not, then this business will eat you alive. I don't plan on getting eaten alive, I plan on eating better as a result of this business.

Great post!