Most property investors will freely admit to having caught the “real estate bug” – once you catch it, it’s hard to shake, and you suddenly acquire an appetite for information on all things property.
Most people will sign up for enewsletters and explore websites. They also plan to invest in seminars and courses that are related to property.
When so much information is online, it is worthwhile to spend thousands on property education.
The outcome of your investment depends on how serious and focused you are. You might find it easier to look online for information if you’re only interested in investing in one or two properties.
On the other hand, if you’re serious about creating long lasting wealth through long-term property investing, then allocating some money towards your own education could pay off – particularly if it saves you from making costly mistakes.
Helen Collier Kogtevs, director of Real Wealth Australia. Her property portfolio now totals more than $8 million. She invested significant amounts in her financial education. This was key to her success.
“We chose to invest in an education and mentors who were experienced property investors themselves. Most of our family and friends thought we were nuts, especially when we spent $20,000 – which we had to borrow – on educating ourselves,” she explains.
“But it was the best money we’ve ever spent. The value has been returned to us many times over; without the education we would have made even more mistakes than we did along the way.”
Collier Kogtevs believes that the money she spent on her education gave her the knowledge and confidence to make smart investments.
She selected mentors and investing seminars by researching their credentials and only seeking advice from those who she believed could “walk the walk” – that is, people who had successfully invested in property themselves.
This is a great criteria for evaluating mentors and courses. This is according to www.scamwatch.gov.au, you should exercise common sense when researching your options: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is, so don’t get sucked in by glossy promises of quick profits.
“Some investment seminars may try and convince you to follow high-risk investment strategies, such as borrowing huge sums of money to buy property,” the website warns.
“Others promote investments that involve lending money on for no security – or with other risky terms. While investment advice can be valuable and valid, it’s important that you carefully examine what an investment program or seminar offers. Attending an expensive seminar or investing in the wrong kind of scheme can be costly mistakes.”
Avoid giving your hard-earned funds to scammers or operators in realty. www.scamwatch.gov.auThese warning signs need to be recognized:

  • Advertisements for seminars or real estate investment schemes that promise a ‘risk-free investment’ or that you will ‘be a millionaire in three years’
  • High-quality returns at little or no risk
  • The initial seminar is completely free but you will be charged a fee for each subsequent one.
  • Loans available to cover investment costs and for additional seminars
  • Investment seminars that offer to teach you the ‘secret’ or ‘exclusive’ techniques for building wealth
  • These packages include all-inclusive financial services such as a spruiker, who can connect you to a lawyer, agent or property manager. Don’t let anyone pressure you into making money or investment decisions. Get independent financial advice