#68 Recognizing Networking Opportunities + Real Estate Investing

Welcome back!  

Two weeks ago, in Carmel, California, I found myself walking on the iconic Pebble Beach. Along the way, I struck up a conversation with a fellow dog owner who had two Australian Shepards (I am the proud dad of an Australian Shepard puppy myself!)

To my surprise, this person turned out be one of the top real estate agents from Silicon Valley back in the 90s.

We talked for 40 minutes, throughout which I listened intently, and among numerous other gems, she shared one simple yet profound insight that’s really stuck with me:

“Anyone can make it in real estate [or any other industry] with the right knowledge and connections. You need to get in touch with people who have been successful before you…that’s where you really learn and earn.”

Before parting ways, I asked for her email address. I didn’t want to be too forward asking for her number. She replied, “How about something better than that?” and gave me her number anyway!

Holy sh!t.

What I thought was going to be a simple stroll on the beach to reset myself turned into something I never saw coming.

This chance encounter resulted in both a valuable contact and a vivid reminder: never underestimate the power of networking; you never know who you might meet.

In honor of this wonderful interaction, this edition has a Networking feel to it (with a nod to real estate in Making Cents). Let’s dive in!

What You Get This Week 💯 

Fattening The Wallet 💰️ 

• Why You Should Consider Investing in Real-Estate

Boosting Your Productivity 📊 

• Trends Worth Knowing in Search Bar

Elevating Your Brand 🤝 

• Embracing Every Interaction in Networking Hacks

• A Communication-Focused Experts Advice

• An Eclectic (as usual) Hustle Hub

Making Cents 💰️ 

Why You Should Consider Getting Into Real-Estate

Short and Sweet: A real-estate investment isn’t just for the wealthy folk out there. It’s a a tangible way to grow your money and can provide immediate income and long-term security. Whether you’re looking to buy a home to live in or a property to rent out, real estate offers strong financial benefits.

Why It Matters: Because investing is all about passive income, and real estate is one of the best investments out there. Investing in real estate diversifies your portfolio, hedges against inflation, and much, much more. See below!

Get Specific: Breaking Down Why You Should Get Into Real-Estate

• Steady Income Stream: Rental properties can provide a regular income source that often exceeds the returns from other types of investments. This can be especially attractive in urban areas where demand for rentals is high.

• Financial Leverage: Real estate allows you to use leverage, meaning you can control a large asset by paying only a fraction of its total cost upfront (your mortgage down payment). This can significantly amplify your returns.

• Appreciation Potential: Over time, real estate typically increases in value. This appreciation can result in gains when you sell the property. Plus, it's a tangible asset—you can improve its value through enhancements and renovations.

Take Action: 2 Things You Can Do Right Now If You Want to Get into Real Estate

👆 Educate Yourself: No excuses here. Start by learning the basics of real estate investing. There are countless resources online, including blogs, courses, and books that can provide you with a solid foundation. Take 2 hours one weekend and even go down YouTube rabbit holes…worth it!

✌️Never Stop Networking: Connect with local real estate investors and professionals, such as realtors, brokers, and property managers. They can offer valuable insights and lead you to potential investment opportunities.

OTF EXAMPLE: Career Job Earnings For a Condo:

Over the course of your career, you’ve managed to save a solid sum of money. Instead of letting it sit in a savings account earning minimal gains, you decide to put a down payment on a small condo. Fast forward five years: not only have you built equity as the property value has increased, but you've also been collecting rent. Now you have more financial stability and an asset that can contribute to your wealth long-term.

Here’s a beginner’s guide to real estate investing, including options for those who don’t have large lump sums lying around!

Expert Advice 🤝 

Who is Clint Murphy?

• He “simplifies psychology, success, and money by sharing advice from millionaires, expert authors,” and personal experience. He has over 372K followers on X.

• His newsletter, The Growth Guide, can be found here. It has over 25K subs.

Who is Eddie Quan?

• He’s got over 162K followers on X, where he talks about business and productivity primarily.

• He’s got a newsletter dedicated to helping you become a better emailer; when you sign up, you get his “Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Becoming an Email Hustler.”

Hustle Hub 📈 

• YOUR SUCCESS: Communication / Networking is essential to success; here’s how to write emails that actually get responses.

• THEIR SUCCESS: The founder of one of the world’s most successful hedge funds - leaving a very successful career to start a new hustle! - died this week. Here’s a look back at his life.

• YOUR SUCCESS: Wanna quit your toxic job and go all-in on a hustle? Here’s a tip for deciding when the time is right to quit.

The Search Bar 📊 

As of 10:00 PM on Monday, 5/13:

MOST SEARCHED STOCK (past 24 hrs): GameStop / AMC - The meme stocks soared on Monday after “Roaring Kitty” posted on social media for the first time in three years. Yes, you read that right.

MOST SEARCHED BUSINESS (past 24 hrs): Red Lobster - The chain has fallen on hard times, with 48 locations being abruptly shut down.

FASTEST-RISING APPS (past week): Big Brands - Two hugely popular brands, Lululemon and Ikea, saw their apps do big numbers this week, rising 403 and 362 spots respectively in data.ai’s ranking

Networking Hack 🤝 

NETWORKING HACK: EMBRACE EVERY INTERACTION

Every person you meet can have something invaluable to offer, much like a casual chat on the beach led to an inspiring encounter with a real estate mogul.

Approach each interaction with openness and curiosity, whether it's at a coffee shop or a corporate event. Networking isn't just for conferences; it should be treated as a lifestyle.

Seek Genuine Connections, Not Just Contacts: Networking isn't just about collecting someone’s info - it's about building relationships.

In the story at the beginning of the newsletter, a genuine conversation about shared interests led to an exchange of personal contact information, moving beyond formalities and fostering a connection that could lead to mentorship and hopefully potential opportunities.

Be Prepared to Learn: One of my key takeaways from that conversation was simple yet impactful: Commit to learning and seek out those who have successfully navigated the path you wish to take.

This isn't limited to real estate; it applies to any field. People appreciate eagerness to learn and often reciprocate with guidance and advice. Keep your mind open and your questions ready. As we’ve said before, Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

Before You Go

We hope you enjoyed this networking-focused edition of OTF! Next week, we’ll be back with new Convo Starters, a new tool in Working with AI, and the return of Major Moves.

See you then!

You are now On The Fly and In The Know