3 Steps to Building Successful Real Estate Relationships

For better or for worse, your success in real estate will be determined by WHO YOU KNOW.

Real Estate is a relationship business. Who you know, and who you are working with, can make the difference in what deals you get, and how much money you have access to.

You will need relationships with great service providers such as agents/brokers, lenders, property managers, CPAs, contractors, attorneys, and with great potential partners – deal and investment partners.

Without these right relationships you either:
(a) can’t acquire a good cash flowing property (especially in a competitive market), or
(b) you can’t run it well, if and when you do acquire it.

A lot of people think that’s not fair. Maybe it's not, but that’s the way it is.

There is something you can do about it though…

You can absolutely get yourself some of those "right" relationships!

So how do you do that?

There are three ways to do this. These are what I’ve done that have made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in my real estate investing career, and allowed me to acquire over 1,000 units and raise over $5 million dollars in just my first year as a syndicator.

The 3 Steps to Building Strong Relationships Are:

1. Tap into Your Existing Network

You are already connected to a lot more people than you think.

Make a list of all the people you know that are involved in real estate. They could be service providers or investors themselves. Surf your Linked In connections, contacts database, or Facebook friend list to jog your memory. You probably know more people connected to this business than you thought you knew.

Next, think about who you know that’s influential – who might know of someone that could help you. Everyone you know has at least 10 contacts and sometimes hundreds of other contacts. Certain people are uber-connectors -- they have thousands of contacts. You are likely only one or two degrees of separation from anyone you would want to meet. And luckily as a part of the Real Estate Investor Goddesses community, you can connect with thousands of female investors from all over the country and the world.

2. Put Yourself in Situations Where You’ll Meet the Right People

The connections I have that have enabled some pretty extraordinary results have not been by accident. I have purposefully put myself in the room with people that are doing real estate (and life) at the HIGHEST LEVELS. I have invested a lot of time and money in conferences and mentorship, and I believe it has paid off.

Earlier this month I went to spend the day with one of my mentors, Sharon Lechter. She is the co-author of the world's best-selling financial book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." It's been awesome to be mentored by the woman whose many books have set me on the course to financial freedom, and being a full-time real estate investor.  She's all about the power of association and always makes a point to connect me with great people who can help me move forward with my goals.

Below is a picture of me with Tony Robbins. I invested a lot to be part of his Platinum Partners and attend his trainings and events. I invest because I know that success is 20% strategy and 80% psychology. Also, because the connections I've made through that community have super-charged my investing, my business, and my life. It's been worth every penny. 

Not everyone is able to go to as many conferences and events as I do (and I go, so I can report back and share what I’m learning with you), but you all have some ability to get yourselves to events where you’ll be able to connect with the right people to take you to the next level.

In fact, I'm inviting you to join me for 3 full days, March 4-6, when I'll be throwing the ultimate wealth and real estate event for women here in Southern California (the Wealth Through Real Estate Event). I'm so excited!!! It’s going to be an epic event, and I know you're meant to be there!  There are a few spots left. Click this link and use code ANGEL22 at checkout to pay only $297 (that's 70% off!)

Plan to attend this and other events, and seek to meet as many people as you can. When you meet these great people, make sure to follow up. And then do step 3.

3. Show Up And Be of Service

The way to get the best people to work with you is not to focus on how they can help you, but to focus on how you can help them.

Look for ways to be of service and to solve their problems.

You may be wondering, “why would someone want to work with me? I’m new or not as successful as they are.” They will want to work with you if you provide an opportunity and/or can help them solve a problem.

We had a neighbor who managed a private equity real estate fund. She’s done over $1.5 billion dollars in transactions. My husband and I were just starting out in real estate syndication, but she was willing to partner with us.

Why? Because we had the time and focus to find a deal. She was too busy at her job to do any of that leg work.

Her considerable experience and contacts were of obvious value to us and opened doors that we as newbies would not have been able to open. Our time and energy were of value to her too. Also, we had the experience and contacts from our mentors to offer.

In the end, we were not able to do a deal with this neighbor – her schedule was really too crazy even with us doing the lion’s share of the work – and we ended up partnering with others. Having had her on our team – even temporarily – allowed us to secure a couple of deals, however.

We then found another great partner with more experience and a much larger investor database than us. He was happy to partner because at that point we had two deals in hand and a great local team in place – property management company, broker, attorney, CPA, and lender.

We showed up, did the work, and found ways to be of service. Continuing to do that has opened us up to many more opportunities and contributes to our results.