Hi guys,
I subscribed to API and came across an advertisement for a free full day property seminar…I was wonder if anyone has had an experiences with these free seminars? Are they too good to be true? Is it just a scam?
I would normally be doubtful but because it was advertised through the API magazine I was wondering if it might be credible?
Thanks
API magazine is a respectable company…but as you mentioned the company is “advertised” how creditable they are depends on who they are…. API magazine would be happy to accept ANY Joe blow to be a paid advertiser, as long as they pay and have an ABN.
Everyday i see potential scams in the Australian financial review advertising section…
So research the company, not API…
Regards
MichaelMick C | Shape Home Loans
http://www.shapehomeloans.com.au/
Email Me | Phone MeSame Banks. Better Rates. Served With a Passion.
Michael makes an excellent point – research the company not the advertising medium.
You may get some better feedback by identifying the company who is conducting the seminar.
ok. Thanks guys!
Every seminar is a big sale from start to finish.
EngeloRumora | Ohio Cashflow
http://ohiocashflow.com/
Email Me | Phone MeF@#$ THE REST WORK WITH OHIO CASHFLOW TO INVEST
If you have the time go, but be ready for a sales pitch. You might even learn something new or be inspired.
Let us know on this thread what you thought and learnt from it (if you go).
Yes, it must be a sale pitch for something otherwise they wouldn't be holding it for free. But, you can still learn a lot from these pitches, just leave your credit cards at home in case you are caught up in the hype – a special price for today only etc.
Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
http://www.Structuring.com.au
Email MeLawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au
You could get soem gems of info if you go to these "free" seminars, but at the end, they'll give you a sales pitch on one of their products and services – they may say that thei'r service that they offer is also "free" for you, but find out how they make their money. They might actually make money via commissions.
Personally, I prefer learning from books and forums and other mentors. Good luck!
What is the free seminar? Who is running it?
There are some good ones but they are run for the purpose of getting you to sign up for the presenters course. For beginners I think there are things to learn though (well some of them).
I reckon you can always get some inspiration from these free seminars, but I follow a couple of golden rules.
1. I always consider the core purpose of a speaker. If their core business is selling property but they offer free "education" then I find it hard to swallow that the education will be unbiased. After all, it's in their interest to "educate" you into buying one of their properties…
2. I always run any numbers through MY OWN cashflow calculator (you can get one for free at our website – http://www.everydaypropertyinvesting.com), and do MY OWN due diligence on any potential purchases. I look for as much independent information as possible (i.e. find rental rates for similar properties, vacancy rates, area demographics from sources OTHER than the sellers).
Too many people I know have been sucked in to buying bad investments that lose them money, thinking they were buying something great. Be careful, and go in with your eyes wide open!
And good luck with your investing.
Thanks everyone! Your opinions have been very helpful. I've pretty much decided not to waste time going.
@ Catalyst : the website is: http://www.growthandcashflow.com/first200/.
You will pick up some ideas from this free seminar but mostly they are introductory topic…then they will ask you to sign up for their program which cost a fortune. Think of it like an entree, they will serve you the main meal and dessert when you become a member.
If you haven’t been to a seminar of this type, there is much to learn, provided you don’t have to spend too much on travel or accommodation to be there. In most cases, there has to be a certain amount of included “benefit” for the attendee, and it amounts to the necessity to provide a certain amount of bait on the hook. Without providing some market updates and other market or investment information, presenters don’t gain credibility and attendees feel duped.
There is also the opportunity to mix with other like minded investors, do some networking, and get out of your comfort zone for a while.Cheers
thecrestthecrest | Tony Neale - Statewide Motel Brokers
http://www.statewidemotelbrokers.com.au
Email Me | Phone Meselling motels in NSW
When I was younger I went to as many free seminars as I could afford to
. I think it is a good way to learn. I still do go to free seminars whenever I can – went to a recent one by the ATO on SMSFs (they didn't try to sell me anything which was strange).Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
http://www.Structuring.com.au
Email MeLawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au
Terryw wrote:When I was younger I went to as many free seminars as I could afford to. I think it is a good way to learn. I still do go to free seminars whenever I can – went to a recent one by the ATO on SMSFs (they didn't try to sell me anything which was strange).I love the ATO talks
Mick C | Shape Home Loans
http://www.shapehomeloans.com.au/
Email Me | Phone MeSame Banks. Better Rates. Served With a Passion.
DHCP wrote:You will pick up some ideas from this free seminar but mostly they are introductory topic…then they will ask you to sign up for their program which cost a fortune. Think of it like an entree, they will serve you the main meal and dessert when you become a member.Ohhhh! how it annoys me when I take the effort to go to a seminar and all I get is fluffy introductory info!!! That's why I prefer forums and books, because you can often get more indepth info
I'm glad you didn't mention the name of the company as the answer is almost definitely to run away fast.
You will find with some digging genuine networking/education meetings relating to residential property where people might be advertising their business when they speak but there will be no hard sell and there will be plenty of genuine and experienced investors to network with, expect to pay a small to reasonable amount (in Brisbane it's $20 a night) for these type of events.
Shape wrote:Terryw wrote:When I was younger I went to as many free seminars as I could afford to. I think it is a good way to learn. I still do go to free seminars whenever I can – went to a recent one by the ATO on SMSFs (they didn't try to sell me anything which was strange).I love the ATO talks
Why are they worth attending? Never been to one and am interested in knowing what they are like.
There was a property related one recently too, which covered general deductions for investment property etc. I posted a link on the somersoft site, but not here sorry!
I did go to the SMSF seminar and it was about 2 hours full of relevant information on all aspects as such contribtions – mandated and non mandated, what happens if you exceed the fund capped contributions. Loans to members or other financial help, acquisition from related parties etc busness real property. installment warrants etc etc.
Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
http://www.Structuring.com.au
Email MeLawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au
. I think it is a good way to learn. I still do go to free seminars whenever I can – went to a recent one by the ATO on SMSFs (they didn't try to sell me anything which was strange).
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