Real estate investors learned surprising lessons at a recent conference

Want to succeed in real estate? Experts always say: find your tribe. Join a group, online or in person. Surround yourself with people who’ve already achieved what you’re aiming for.

Sounded good in theory, right? But I didn’t truly get it until I went to a real estate conference.

Vegas, Baby! (And Real Estate)

I drove to Vegas for the “One Rental at a Time” conference. Hosted by Michael Zuber, an investor and author, the event promised insights and connections. I was there as a journalist, not a future property mogul.

But after ten hours with hundreds of real estate fanatics? Let’s just say I started considering a side hustle in property.

Early Birds (and Real Estate Moguls)

The conference started at 8 a. m. Sharp! Surprisingly early for a Saturday. But the room buzzed with energy. These people were passionate. They devour podcasts, watch YouTube videos. They were serious and ready to learn.

I grabbed some coffee and found a seat. Time to dive in.

Speakers, Q&A, and a Whole Lotta Networking

The day was packed. Speakers shared their stories. A couple who went from broke to building a rental empire. A YouTuber who talked about content creation. Inspiring stuff!

Then came the “lazy landlord. ” His strategy? He looks for properties *not* in good school districts. Less turnover, he argued. Lower property taxes. Interesting.

The “millionaire panel” was a Q&A session. Attendees lined up to ask questions. Real-world dilemmas, market trends. Super helpful.

Lunchtime: Where the Magic Happened

Lunch was tacos and churros. Yum! But the real treat? The networking. That’s where things got interesting.

Put like-minded people together, and sparks fly. The conversations were amazing. Strategies for remodeling on a budget. Weighing the pros and cons of selling a rental. The energy was contagious.

At my table, I met a widow aiming to buy five rentals, one for each grandchild. An investor in his 30s building a portfolio to retire early and hike the Appalachian Trail.

This is when it clicked. Surrounding yourself with the right people is powerful. Networks expanding, connections forming, momentum building. One woman said her friends didn’t get her real estate passion. But here? She could ask anything and get support.

Graham Stephan: A Surprise Guest!

After lunch, more sessions. Then, a surprise: Graham Stephan, a popular YouTuber with millions of subscribers! The crowd went wild. Like seeing Roger Federer walk on stage.

More Than Just Advice

The speakers gave great advice. Look at listings daily. Don’t obsess over interest rates. Buy and hold for the long term. But my biggest takeaway was different.

Your “social sphere” matters. Who you surround yourself with is crucial. Sounds simple, right? But experiencing it is different than just knowing it.

Why Surround Yourself With Other Investors?

If you’re thinking about real estate, get in a room (virtual or real) with other investors. Here’s why:

• You learn. From smarter, more successful people.
• You connect. Find business partners, lenders, clients.
• You gain momentum. Enough to finally take that first step.

The conference ended with dinner. I ducked out to write down my thoughts. If I was looking to buy a rental, I would have stayed. The energy, the connections. .. it was all incredibly valuable.