081: The Power of Real Estate Meetups for Investors with CJ Calio

Real estate meetups can be a powerful tool in setting you up for investing success. Many investors attribute their success to the connections they made in real estate meetup groups.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with guest CJ Calio to talk about his entry into real estate investing alongside his wife Jasmine and how they’re helping new investors get started by offering meetup groups. While real estate was initially his wife’s dream, CJ came around to the idea of turning it into his career when he became frustrated with his job as a UPS driver. CJ and Jasmine run WNN Properties today and help others create successful investing careers.

Jonathan and CJ uncover why he chose to invest in the Midwest instead of Hawaii, where he was living at the beginning of his investing career, the reason he started a local meetup group for real estate investors, and the type of property he chose for his first investment. You’ll also hear why CJ pivoted away from residential real estate and into commercial, how he accidentally found a property niche, and what he and Jasmine are considering for future investments.

CJ Calio discovered his “why” in real estate investing and wants to help others do the same. If you aren’t sure whether or not you’re ready to jump into the investing game, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, you will hear:

How CJ Calio’s wife Jasmine got him interested in real estate as he was working as a UPS driver
His initial resistance to pursuing a real estate career and overcoming pride to share his wife’s dream
Why CJ began investing in the Midwest instead of Hawaii, where they lived, and the role creating relationships played in choosing those locations
The meetups CJ and his wife started, how they grew over time, and why meetups help people get off the sidelines and into investing
His first property in Indianapolis, why he purchased a turnkey investment, and where his subsequent investments were
Their move to Reno, Nevada, and how long-term investing has helped him maximize his time
The mindset shift required when working for yourself and some of the struggles that come along with that
More is lost by indecision than the wrong decision
What CJ’s “bad” investments have taught him
The BRRRR method and how he adapted it to fit his investing strategy
The direction of CJ Calio’s company today and what led him into commercial real estate
How current interest rates have impacted his investments, and where his new investments are focused
Why COVID led to finding an unexpected property niche
CJ and his wife’s future real estate plans
His advice for new investors as he looks back on his experience

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