Re: Marc Stephan Garrison and NAREI - Posted by Thomas Phillip
Posted by Thomas Phillip on July 16, 2004 at 17:05:20:
This is just a note to those researching Marc Garrison and the NAREI, and that may have stumbled across some negative comments. 10 years ago, I too, went on a Garrison buying tour. I was new to real estate investing, and scared to death that I would loose all my money. Looking back, I consider it money well spent, even though I must agree that he didn’t show me anything I couldn’t have figured out on my own - If only I had the education and the knowledge, and the time to research 300 markets, visit new cities and locate and interview and select qualified, ethical business contacts, and the funds, and the research Staff, . . . , but like 99% of those new to real estate, I never would have known where to start. Yeah! I know! I could always rely on the yellow pagesfor good business contacts, or Aunt Tillie’s third husband George’s bookie for good sound, business advice. Unlike many of the other Guru’s, Marc never promised I would be a millionaire simply by buying the books and tapes. I had to read the books and watch the tapes! I had to learn the language and techniques of real estate investing, and when and where to apply those techniques. I had to understand profits in Real estate may take a a little time. Finding the right property, in the right market, at the right time, and buying it right, then recognizing when to exit that market, is what it’s all about. I had to determine what I was looking for (and could afford), so that I could recognize it when I saw it! I went on the buying tour expecting to work my butt off, looking for the best investments (diamonds in the rough) that I could find. Unlike some people I have met on tour, I did NOT expect to have good properties forced on me, or to find refined and polished diamonds just lying around under the noses of the locals (who are not as dumb and uninformed as you may think). No, I did not find a suitable property during that first buying tour. BUT I DID NOT GIVE UP! The very next month, I went back to that same city on my own, worked with the same ethical brokers that Marc had introduced, and found my first good, positive cash flow property. I have gone on several buying tours since then, building a portfolio of real estate in six different cities and in four different states. My real estate education (and, incidentally, my net worth) has progressed by leaps and bounds because of my associations with Marc Garrison and the network of incredible people that I have met on buying tours. If you have an open mind, are teachable, willing to learn, and willing to work hard at your own success, the money you spend on a buying tour could be a very good investment in your own education.