Real Estate… Answered

For some reason, everyone in the real estate investment industry seems to think that you need to be old to be successful. When a twentysomething walks into a bank and applies for a $500,000 loan, the loan officer will look at them funny. How can they trust someone so young with so much money? Sometimes, older investors and real estate professionals are also intimidated by up-and-coming young people. How can a youngster make millions of dollars when they’ve been struggling for years? Something must be wrong.

As a result, I’ve gotten more than a dozen e-mails from young, ambitious people, asking, "How can I get people to look past my age? I’ve got oceans of energy and desire, but I can’t get people to believe in me." The good news is I know several superstars, one of them under the age of 20, that are moving forward at warp speed, unhindered by their edge. I’ve included their secrets below:

1) Demonstrate Professionalism

Repeat this affirmation until it’s buried in your subconscious: "I’m a dedicated, hard-working, and respected professional." The key here is to not only forget that you are young, but also make others forget. You need to present such a professional image that people respond to you as a professional investor, not as a young upstart making them look bad.

Here are specific tips to transform your image:

• Dress conservatively. Look at the most successful investors in your area and mirror their wardrobe.
• Learn the lingo. Master the basics of every real estate investing strategy, so you can talk "turkey" with the pros.
• Mind your manners. Showing proper respect and grooming will gain you points with the old-timers.
• Don’t sell; serve. People will trust you if you’re more concerned with helping others than your own personal gain.

2) Showcase Your Strengths

You need to remember that being young has its advantages. Many longtime real estate investors would gladly trade their experience for your energy and maneuverability. Where older investors are tied down with families and a pile of bills, you can change your entire life in an instant, moving to another city or living out of a shoe box in order to take advantage of opportunities. Because you can make those sacrifices, pros may pass you real estate investment opportunities that are impossible for them but perfect for you.

Consider the following scenarios and how you can position your age as an advantage:

• If a banker hesitates in letting you borrow money, tell them, "I’m in this business for the long haul. If I mess up with you, it will haunt me for years. I can’t let that happen."
• If a realtor doubts your ability to close, tell them, "If I were you, I wouldn’t believe me either. But I’m going to close this deal and the next 200 deals after it. I’d like you to be a part of that."
• If another investor is reluctant to partner with you, emphasize, "I’m willing to pay my dues. If you’ll believe in me, I will go anywhere and do anything. I will dedicate my life to making you rich.

3) Become an Apprentice

The best way to make people look past your age is to work for a highly successful real estate investor that everyone respects. I’m not talking about finding a mentor; I’m suggesting that you get a full-time apprenticeship. People will immediately treat you differently. If a successful investor trusts you, others will trust you. They’ll also pamper you with compliments and special gifts, hoping to earn favor with your boss. It’s a little embarrassing, but fun as hell.

Use the following tips to secure a job with the person that can propel you to instant respect and influence:

• Network constantly. The more people that know you, the better your chances of connecting with a pro.
• Work hard. Smart investors will hire you to take advantage of your energy and enthusiasm.
• Get paid for performance. You can reduce your boss’s risk by only getting paid when you make them money.

For a more detailed guide on finding a mentor, click the following question:

Where can I find a mentor that will teach me real estate investing?

For some reason, everyone in the real estate industry seems to think that you need to be old to be successful. When a twentysomething walks into a bank and applies for a $500,000 loan, the loan officer will look at them funny. How can they trust someone so young with so much money? Sometimes, older investors and real estate professionals are also intimidated by up-and-coming young people. How can a youngster make millions of dollars when they’ve been struggling for years? Something must be wrong.

As a result, I’ve gotten more than a dozen e-mails from young, ambitious people, asking, "How can I get people to look past my age? I’ve got oceans of energy and desire, but I can’t get people to believe in me." The good news is I know several superstars, one of them under the age of 20, that are moving forward at warp speed, unhindered by their edge. I’ve included their secrets below:

1) Demonstrate Professionalism

Repeat this affirmation until it’s buried in your subconscious: "I’m a dedicated, hard-working, and respected professional." The key here is to not only forget that you are young, but also make others forget. You need to present such a professional image that people respond to you as a professional investor, not as a young upstart making them look bad.

Here are specific tips to transform your image:

• Dress conservatively. Look at the most successful investors in your area and mirror their wardrobe.
• Learn the lingo. Master the basics of every investing strategy, so you can talk "turkey" with the pros.
• Mind your manners. Showing proper respect and grooming will gain you points with the old-timers.
• Don’t sell; serve. People will trust you if you’re more concerned with helping others than your own personal gain.

2) Showcase Your Strengths

You need to remember that being young has its advantages. Many longtime investors would gladly trade their experience for your energy and maneuverability. Where older investors are tied down with families and a pile of bills, you can change your entire life in an instant, moving to another city or living out of a shoe box in order to take advantage of opportunities. Because you can make those sacrifices, pros may pass you opportunities that are impossible for them but perfect for you.

Consider the following scenarios and how you can position your age as an advantage:

• If a banker hesitates in letting you borrow money, tell them, "I’m in this business for the long haul. If I mess up with you, it will haunt me for years. I can’t let that happen."
• If a realtor doubts your ability to close, tell them, "If I were you, I wouldn’t believe me either. But I’m going to close this deal and the next 200 deals after it. I’d like you to be a part of that."
• If another investor is reluctant to partner with you, emphasize, "I’m willing to pay my dues. If you’ll believe in me, I will go anywhere and do anything. I will dedicate my life to making you rich.

3) Become an Apprentice

The best way to make people look past your age is to work for a highly successful investor that everyone respects. I’m not talking about finding a mentor; I’m suggesting that you get a full-time apprenticeship. People will immediately treat you differently. If a successful investor trusts you, others will trust you. They’ll also pamper you with compliments and special gifts, hoping to earn favor with your boss. It’s a little embarrassing, but fun as hell.

Use the following tips to secure a job with the person that can propel you to instant respect and influence:

• Network constantly. The more people that know you, the better your chances of connecting with a pro.
• Work hard. Smart investors will hire you to take advantage of your energy and enthusiasm.
• Get paid for performance. You can reduce your boss’s risk by only getting paid when you make them money.

For a more detailed guide to finding a mentor, click the following question: