I have been looking for a solid mentor who “practices” real estate and does well for himself/herself that I can learn from.
I have been seeing several posts that Michael Quarles made and was curious if anyone can give me feedback on him.
He offers a year long mentorship for only $899 that looks great but I am just very cautious with “gurus”.
Sincerely,
George
Hey Mr Hungry,
The best decision you could make would be to choose to work with, and have Michael as your mentor…He is the best in the business as far as I’m concerned.
I really wouldn’t consider him a guru…guru’s are generally people who have good knowledge of the specific real estate venture they are involved with…but they are more importantly much better at marketing themselves and their products so you will choose them and pay a hefty start up fee…I don’t put Michael in this class.
He is an absolute expert in several fields of investing, and has over 30 years experience…unlike most guru’s, he is actually doing anywhere from around 100-200 deals a year…this is something that you will not find with most gurus…they have usually stopped doing deals because they are more focused on selling their products and promoting free offers on websites.
In my opinion, you have the opportunity to wrok and learn from a true pro and expert…this should be a no-brainer decision for you…but at the end of the day it is up to you…If you asked me who I would recommend over Michael, I wouldnt have an answer for you.
The 1-1 mentoring programs that I sell cost anywhere from $6,000 - $10,000…$899 is so inexspensive that it is almost not fair to Michael, but that is just an example of his passion for helping others to achive wealth & prosperity through real estate investing.
I hope my opinion helps you to make the right decision…If Michael resinates with you, and see yourself benefiting from his expertise and lessons, than go for it…I mean, what are you waiting for?..you’ll never know until you at least try.
Goo Luck & Happy Investing…to your success in 2010!
-Mike
Hmmm, I wonder if Quarles started this thread under a different name to social proof and market himself. If not, I think $899 for a year of mentorship is pretty cheap and you should go for it.
If someone were to ask me to mentor them 1 on 1 for year, I’d quote them $10K to teach them how to buy a wholesale apartment building and how to manage it themselves to maximize profits and minimize a lot of the costly risks I faced when I started out. If you buy one wholesale apartment building and manage it yourself, you don’t have to work 9-5 for someone else again and you can set your own hours. Heck, I might even offer to do it for free if someone bought an apartment building through me as a realtor 'cuz everybody should live like this.
But, I think there’s so many different facets to real estate that you can make a ton of money on and if someone’s willing to teach you an area you think you’d really enjoy for $899, I’d say jump on it. He’s also gonna tell you how to avoid a lot of costly mistakes he did with his past deals. Not only that, but with one deal, you’ll probably make that money back many times over. $899 for a year is a really good price for a year of mentoring. I know the infomercial gurus like Russ Whitney and John Burley would charge $30K for something you’d get for $899.
Here’s a little food for thought though. Will he include a tour of some of his great deals he did for that price? I know if someone hired me, I’d have no problem showing them my properties.
David
Realtor & Commercial Investor
one def. might think that Dave, you make a good point!
However, it is not the case in this particular instance…I just spoke with George (hungryinvestor) a few times and he is from Sunny Ft Lauderdale…about 2 hours south of me.
George is a great guy who has already done several wholesale deals…George now wants to venture out and create multiple streams of income via…short sales, reo’s, subject to’s, etc…George will do real well, and is doing the right thing my getting a few opinions first before he makes his decision.
After responding to this, you may think Michael is my son…Let me assure you, nothing could be further from the truth.
Michael is as professional as they come. I’ve seen him on this board for many years, along with a couple of others that I watch, but Michael ranks at the top.
I’ve seen his work and have communicated with him for some time and have always gotten great advice. He knows what he’s doing.
I’ve gone as far as to check out some of the things that he’s advised me to do, by asking a couple of attorneys here in Big D (Dallas) and even though we’re in different states, I’ve never found anything that I was advised to stay away from. Now that’s hard to do. Texas and California are not very compatable, but yet Michael has hit the nail on the head every time.
If one is looking for a mentor, well, how can I say it? Michael would be a fantastic choice…
Note: I’m a Realtor and Investor in North Central Texas. From what I understand Michael is one of the few that can wear both hats. He is a Broker and an investor and has been doing both for several years. He is well worth anyone’s time, effort and most importantly, money.
Ken Tate (a.k.a. Mr. Real Estate)
Guys, I really appreciate all the feedback that you all have given me. I have spoken to Michael Quarles a few time, received good feedback from a great source, and now the social proof on this board. It’s given me a lot of confidence to move forward.
He really does sound like a “coach”. I have hired a few people in internet marketing as coaches and they were horrible but Michael sounds like he really “cares” and has made tons of money in this business.
One thing that is important to note is that even if one is really good at making money, doesn’t mean they are going to be a good “coach/mentor”. It’s very hard to find the 2 in 1.
Although I won’t really know unless I do it, I figure $899 is worth the risk.
Thanks taxlienadvisor for the kind remarks.
Cris Chico is a best friend of mine and has taught me everything I know about this game. He was a great coach. I am looking now to expand upon what he gave me.
If I take Michaels offer, I’ll let you guys know if he’s the real deal or not.
Thanks again for responses guys.
not to jump off topic, but i’d take you up on this offer in a heartbeat.
i’d like to be first in line for this type of mentorship…where do i apply? ;] (no joke)
ryan
Well, I haven’t gotten a pm from you asking yet. You don’t act like someone who’s ready to move to the next level…
Are you kidding? $899 for a year long? I don’t know Michael personally. I have never even talked to him in a post. But what I do know is he offers a TON of advice and input on the forums, especially to new investors like myself.
I have a mentor here locally in Houston that has been doing this about 6 years. He’s a great guy and helps a lot, etc…I am paying him $10K and we really only laid out education and “help” for six months…so, I am thinking this is an amazing deal to get with Michael…
I would actually be curious to know if Michael (or possibly others) offer mentorships remotely? So far, I have been at this about 2 months. With my current mentor, that is. Well…maybe I will make a new post, getting off topic.
Well ill jump into the discussion.
Considering im actually being mentored by michael at this time, i think i have a pretty good opinion to offer.
First what i did before starting the mentorship was ask alot of the top investors onthis forum what they thought of them. Some were really good, some were just good, none were bad.
So far he has forced me out of my comfort zone and helped me in a very logical intelligent way. He doesnt hold your hand or baby you, he motivates you by both encouraging you and kicking you in the arse. Hes blunt yet fun and a good guy. He so far has been a great mentor. Dont frgt you also get some books and audio to listento also.
I would recommend him. Especially for someone starting out because he specializes in no money down deals! So he can deff help you if you dont have much money.
So again, hes treated me well. Im sure hell do the same for you.
Hungry, if your in South Florida i recommend checking out David Dewick of BRIC. His club meets in deerfield beach/boca area off I95 always. He is a leader in the real estate community in SoFl and many times he is quotes on real estate topics in Sun Sentinel articles. He offers mentoring programs and also is a realtor and HML.
I got a great impression from him, I wanted to borrow some of his great writing for my blog and he said “no problem”, didn’t even request attribution, which I was surprised at. Seems like a real straight shooter from my limited exposure to him.
Okay peeps…
This feels really weird… I feel like I’m dead reading my obituary from the grave, hopefully Heaven…
Very nice words however let’s all go buy some houses…
Thanks
Michael
Lmbo michael. Well now you’ve reached a new height of popularity on the forum when an entire topic is posted about you. Was just waiting for you to say something though.
"Okay peeps…
This feels really weird… I feel like I’m dead reading my obituary from the grave, hopefully Heaven…
Very nice words however let’s all go buy some houses…
Thanks
Michael"
So, the rumors of your death are greatly exaggerated?
Keith
Don’t know Michael, never talked to Michael, but from reading his posts if you actually follow his advice you will soon get you money back and a foundation to work on. Plus $20 bucks a week is cheap and if your dissatisfied you can post about your experiences and dissatisfaction here every week to vent.
I’ve been investing for 55 years now and I’ve run into many people that have left investing because of the wrong guru or mentor sending them down the wrong road but I don’t think there is much chance that Michael is in that group.
As a matter of fact I met a newbie investor at my doctor’s office a few weeks ago and if he keeps following the advice of his mentor ($1,000 a month for 6 months) he was going to end up either completely broke, in court, in jail, or in a pine box. I suggested he hit small claims court to get his money back based on being induced to sign the contract through misrepresentation. I’ll be happy to testify for him, parasite mentors seem to be increasing in number.
OK may have to change my answer. Just read another post that implied Michael also wants half of the first $100k also. So if that’s true I’ll just say unless your playing in the same yard as Michael, look for a qualified local at those prices.
When I started there were no mentors, gurus, or wholesalers and my brother and I flew by the seat of our pants. But there were investors and others out there willing to answer the questions of two teenagers, and of course all the answers applied to our market area specifically. And whenever we could return the favor down the road we would. Those contacts were valuable and they became wonderful friends.
All of them (my educators) have died but I still pass on what I had learned to a few select newbies for free every now and then. Well not free, they had to pick up my $1.99 breakfast tab on Saturday mornings. I officially retired the first of this year but I just can’t resist reading these sites from time to time.
If you choose to pay Michael a slightly higher fee for the 1 year of mentoring you can keep 100% of your profits.
A lot of people like the idea of having a mentor who has a common interest in how much, and how fast they make money. They usually tell me they would rather have 50% of 100K, and be taught how to do it by an expert, rather then 100% of $0.
As I said though, he does have 2 different programs to choose from.
I suppose you will once again have to change your answer?
I paid 50 bucks for Michael’s book, and while it was amongst one of the most expensive books I have bought (outside of college books which is a whole other story), it was easily one of the most informative books on land-lording I’ve ever read. I’m the guy that has a thousand books on his shelf, constantly searching for new knowledge and different angles on certain strategies, but what did it for me was the true stories that you would NEVER find in a commercial hype book. I wasn’t necessarily shocked by them, but it was refreshing to actually read straight-up material, not a bunch of BS. I’d buy another book for 50, right now, even if it was only comprised of firsthand stories. I don’t want to read cookie-cutter bs about generalities; I want to read about REAL LIFE examples, and Mike is chalk-full of them. :beer
Taxlienadvisor
Nope. My basic answer stays the same. If your in Michael’s backyard look into his program. Before with the little info I had it was a slam dunk, now it would be wise to consider all possibilities available.
I still believe it’s wise to learn from a player who is currently active in your own market area. You make the assumption it’s a choice between 50% of $100k or 100% of zero, that’s BS and a oversimplification. Michael going to guarantee $50k. not likely.
One pro in my area mentors when a finds a newbie that wants help and seems to be a good candidate in exchange for the newbies leg work and 10% of the profit. Usually after 2 or 3 deals the newbie has a good foundation and starts to fly on their own. And if the newbie starts wholesaling guess who gets first choice at prime deals. Now in this case the newbie in my area would be wise to chose the local pro with tons of experience and still active.