Thinking Outside the Box or In A Larger Box?

At an orientation introducing job seekers to new business opportunities, we had a chance to view Steve Job's 2005 Commencement Address at Stanford University.  Steve had lots of good things to say in his video.

We were then introduced to a new Real Estate Investment College founded by Jim and Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder.  These three people also founded an online university in Arizona now named Piccolo International University.  They recruited Laura Palmer Noone out of retirement to be the CEO of Piccolo International University.  Both the Real Estate Investment College and Piccolo International University are involved with a new approach to practical education.

The Real Estate Investment College offers classes in practical real estate investment skills and actually helps students build their Real Estate portfolios as they complete the classes.  Rather than preparing graduating students for jobs, graduating students are practicing Real Estate investors when they graduate--and they earn their tuition while engaged in the practical applications of what they are learning while they are students.  The program even has lists of properties and other Real Estate services available to students if they choose to make use of them.  There is also a business education component built-into the learning program.

The thrust of this orientation is that there is a world of opportunity for people to build six-figure incomes in the world of real estate investing.  The key to success (a valid theme in many areas) is that knowledge can be converted to income.

While they didn't use the term "JOB=Just-over-broke" that I've heard many times before, they are realistic--actually showing sales forms and commission statements indicating income over a 24-month period. 

The tuition for this "Real Estate Investment College" is high--though I haven't checked the details.  It does offer tuition assistance in the form of actual pay-off of tuition as well as cash-in-the-pocket for students completing Real Estate transactions while taking college courses (50% of profit goes to instructor, 25% to student, and 25% to student tuition).

One fundamental area I need to explore if I am considering getting involved in this world is to answer the question, how much of this new world is built on a solid foundation and how much is subject to immediate change--for example in regulations regarding bank loans, mortgages, home-owner line of credit, etc.?

There are trends at work in our new economic marketplace and there is a group of investors introducing these ideas in this geographical area.  While they are certainly making money and engaged in worthwhile ventures--to include "Pay It Forward" charity work--there's more to think about.

There is some controversy about this approach, though the integrity of the people involved and the institutions overall seem to shine through the controversy.

People who are working with what they have learned from the program say that there is significant work involved and that it is not "something for nothing."  Nor is it a multi-level marketing program.

My original question remains, while this approach to Real Estate investing is outside the box of traditional "jobs," it still relies on the worlds of financing Real Estate--a larger or different box.  Taking education courses to know current trends and best practices in Real Estate investing will prepare someone to work successfully in this different box--unless and until the rules change.  Then, if the education courses can keep up with the evolution in the rules, it can still be worthwhile, though not the same as it is now.

I'm still learning and am open to explore ideas that can help me have a quality lifestyle.  I've tried many approaches so far and have lots more to learn.