Last night I attended my first ever real estate meetup with the Michigan Real Estate Investors here in Troy. I’m terrible at networking, so this was a personal challenge but when I’m passionate about something I’m generally able to push through my social shortcomings.
The night was far longer than I anticipated it would be. I arrived at 5:15pm to “network”. Again, I’m terrible at this but I did manage to strike up a couple conversations, one with a young guy named Dom who’s closing on his first rental property today in Warren. We have a lot in common, so it was nice to chat with someone who’s at a similar place in the journey.
I also met Stacey who was sitting next to me during the speaker about the Detroit Land Bank (interesting stuff). She’s had a rental for years and is hunting her next.
Then I was accosted by an elderly woman dressed much like I remember my grandma dressing… a quintessential old-woman floral shirt and pleated pants far more situated to comfort than style. I’m old enough to know not to overlook someone like this, and as I heard her talking with her neighbor and muttering under her breath I could tell she knew her stuff.
Long story short, Dorothy took to me and started chatting. The next thing I knew things were wrapping up with the speakers and she invited me to a restaurant where the regular members meet after the meeting. I went and joined about two dozen serious investors.
I mostly sat and soaked things in, getting to know the handful of direct neighbors at the table. But toward the end I was given a solid half hour of unsolicited advice from another guy before finally pulling myself away to head home a bit after midnight.
It was an interesting night, and I learned a good bit about quiet titles, acquiescence, and the Detroit Land Bank. I’d like to get to know some more of the serious investors and learn more from them. In the past I’ve avoided meetups because being social and networking is extremely difficult for me to do, but it’s clearly worth doing and I’ll have to force myself out of my comfort zone to do more of them.