Real Estate Investing Opportunities and Education

My mother, who will be 95 in December, 2009, had a 14-year career in Real Estate when she retired from a 33+ year career in education.  She enjoyed Real Estate and earned more in that career than in her education career.

In the careers I have chosen so far, I have not included Real Estate.  At this point in my life and in the economy, Real Estate is looking better and better as a choice for building income, especially at this stage in my life.

Last week I became acquainted with some of the programs offered by the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College.  I also became acquainted with the Chicagoland community of like-minded investors with offices in Downer's Grove (use "dog" as a password).

 I attended a "Super Saturday" Meeting today in Oakbrook and learned more about business opportunities in marketing the education offerings of the Real Estate Investment College.

There are, in this program, three sets of business opportunities:  1) Real Estate Investing Education supported by immediate "earn while you learn" components to build net worth and to get out of debt.  2) Ongoing mentorship, team, and community support for new (and experienced) Real Estate investors.  3) Marketing opportunities to promote the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investing courses--with attendant mentoring, team, and community support for new (and experienced) marketers of the education program.

Some people may only want the Real Estate Investing education and to work on their own (Opportunity one).  Others may want support and guidance as they build expertise in Real Estate investing (Option One and Option Two).  Another group may want to earn extra income to support their own Real Estate Investing education by marketing the education courses (Option Three).  (Some people may want all three options.)

I certainly like what I see so far about the program, though I have only had limited exposure to the programs and the community of "like-minded" investors.  My "due dilligence" requires me to check out other Real Estate investing opportunities for education and support to see if the value offered by the Nouveau Riche opportunities are the best value for me.  I would like to find a way (grants, alternative funding) to support my education without incurring more debt.  I also need to be sure that this is a community I would like to be a part of.

One aspect of my concern at present is the delivery method of the education courses.  Tuitions require attendance at the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College in Scottsdale, AZ.  They have video-tapes from completed classes available for review.  Last summer I completed fifteen graduate education hours online with the University of Phoenix.  Laura Palmer Noone, former President of the University of Phoenix, is now the CEO of Piccolo International University in Scottsdale, AZ.  Piccolo International University was created by the same three founders as the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College.  Presently Piccolo International University offers practically-oriented online degrees at the bachelors and masters level.  The Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College is considered a vocational school even though they number the courses in the 100, 200, and 300 levels similar to what would be offered at the university level.  Some discussion regarding the accreditation process for Nouveau Riche indicates that the courses may be approved at the associates level (similar to a community college).  While that doesn't mean much to successful Real Estate investors graduating from their programs, it may be more important to people determining the value of education.

Because of Laura's work with the University of Phoenix and now her work with Piccolo International University, I am hopeful that she will bring her online education expertise to help Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College to move to more online courses.