Hi Cynthia!
IMNSHO, Than's classes are no better or worse than any other "national guru's." I suggest you follow the advice given on this forum (do your research, know what you are getting into before you go, only go to the free courses, leave your checkbook at home) and take from them what you can.
But also listen to where Robin is coming from, if not exactly how he got here (spending $30,000+ on education before doing a deal - but then he did LOTs of them).
Everyone in this business needs education. You can buy it. You can earn it. You can partner with it. How you choose to acquire it is up to you. But whatever path you choose, I counsel folks to "be smart."
If you buy it, don't pay "retail." I have yet to see any "home study course" or "boot camp" I thought was worth several thousand dollars. Much less those absurd "mastermind" groups that range from $10,000-50,000+ per year.
The good news is you don't have to pay those prices. In every city in America there are local investors who will teach you the specifics of what works in your market, right now, for a few HUNDRED dollars per course, or less. And in case you are the kind of person who can't resist the siren-song of glitzy ex-TV-realty-stars-turned-Real-Estate-Guru; fine, hunt around the Internet and buy a used course for 1-10% of what it originally sold for (I recently bought a $2,500 Home Study Course for $99 + shipping. Only 2 of the 5 sections had even been opened.).
If you earn it, be smart and proceed cautiously. The main goals of your first deal if you go this route ought to be 1) learning the business, and THEN 2) making some money. Rocky makes a fabulous point (which he routinely does) about spending your money actually doing a deal. I used to teach my students the following: The average "Rehab Bootcamp" is about 4 days long, and usually held in some fun, exotic location (Vegas). It also usually costs $4,999 + expenses (about $6-9K depending on how much you eat, drink and party). When you are finished you have been exposed to some varying amount of what you will need to know to do a deal. BUT YOU STILL HAVE NOT DONE A DEAL. Instead, go buy a house, rehab it, sell it, and if you lose less than $6-9K you are still better off than if you'd gone to a boot camp BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOW DONE A REAL DEAL (and you are probably NOT going to lose $6-9K, especially if you get advice and help from your DFW REI Club friends.).
The 3rd choice can be your best, or your worst option. I have seen MANY new investors find great REI partners who are willing to teach them the business in exchange for a disproportionately high percentage of the profits on the first few deals. I have also seen many new investors lose their life savings to less-than-reputable "seasoned" investors (Ask yourself and them "If you are such a fabulous investor, why do you need all my money?"). If you go the "partner" route, make sure you have good documentation in place (contracts), as well as both of you having "skin in the game."
Regardless of what route or which expert advice you choose, continue going to Robin & Cindy's club. Frankly, if you did nothing except attend all 50 meetings in a year you would be well on your way to being fully trained.
And finally, when you have an opportunity to take high quality local training at rock bottom prices, jump on it. Robin and I worked for years to develop a teaching system that would quickly, accurately, and affordably teach new investors what they needed in order to succeed in this business. His Wholesale Class was the first step in that system. Take it if there are still spots available. It's the best $200 you'll ever spend in this business.
If there is anything else I can do to help you grow your business, please let me know.
Very Best,
-Greg
Greg Wilson
The REI Mentor
