Real estate investors should look at local resources

In my efforts to find the resources to help readers make better decisions about self directed retirement options, I decided I would start looking at the nonprofit associations out there.

Specifically, which groups or associations were often active in the niche markets where a self directed retirement type of investor would look – such as real estate, franchise, startups, private notes, etc.

Real estate tends to be one of the biggest reasons and opportunities why individuals start self directed retirement plans, solo 401k plans and the like. So I started there and discovered the National Real Estate Investors Association, which is an association for local clubs and organizations that serve the real estate investor.

I have to say I’m impressed with the activity. I went state-by-state through their directory (http://www.memberize.com/clubportal/795files/directory.cfm?clubID=795&pubmenuoptID=11912) and almost all of them had a full 12 month schedule of activities with local speakers or out of town experts brought in to speak to the club members.

Did I find much on the use of self directed retirement funds – surprisingly, there were a number of tax advisor types sharing ideas for how to buy real estate in your self directed IRA and solo 401k.  I like it when the person sharing the advice is a CPA or tax advisor in some way – it means to me that they are cognizant of the IRS rules, which are good to follow, as a general rule (if you don’t sense the tongue-in-cheek nature of that comment, let me be clear – we’re all for following the guidelines Uncle Sam has put in motion).

There were topics on buying foreclosures, checking credit, collecting rent, and other topics of interest to real estate investors. At nearly every club or association I checked, something good was happening. Whether you were using a solo 401k to buy a property or some other asset or loan, there are active and educational groups out there in the real estate investment property market to help you learn and make decisions.

Okay, some of the resources found were less than stellar, so buyer beware always rules the day. Some of the courses and workshops were from book authors who are touting the equivalent of what I see as “get rich schemes”, however, if you want to find opportunities in real estate investing – these groups can provide a starting point.  Again, caveat emptor – there are speakers selling their educational programs at these events in some cases, but if you use your head (just like in creating your own self directed retirement with an advisor) you can profit from smart investments.