Back on the home page of my site, I said that any real estate guru worth his salt should be able to pass a rigorous test before earning your trust.

Here are the questions again, and more details on how I stack up:

1. Do they have solid credentials in the real estate business? (Or were they refugees from some other line of work?)
I have experience as a mortgage broker. I also have rehabbed hundreds of properties (see #2, below). I've worked closely with federal housing agencies in rehabs, and have done non-subsidized properties as well. During that time, I got my contractor's license, so I could negotiate better with contractors. In addition, I not only became a real estate agent, but became a real estate broker, so I could open my own residential real estate firm. From finance, to construction, to sales and investing--I've paid my dues so far as learning how this business works.

2. Have they done literally hundreds of deals? (Or only a few dozen?)
I've rehabbed more than 488 properties. That doesn't count the 38 apartment complexes I've bought, all around the country.

3. Have they done many, many different types of deals? (Or are they just a "one-trick pony"?)
Let's see: I've done foreclosures; pre-foreclosures; HUD Section 8; conventional apartments; single-family homes; "subject to" deals; lease-option deals; short sales; quick flips; new construction...I'm sure I've left out a few other creative investment structures I've done, because it's tough to remember them all.

4. Are they still doing deals? (Or are they into full-time speaking and coaching now?)
I have an active real estate agency. It brings me a constant stream of deals, in addition to my direct mail, classified ad, and networking efforts. Yes, I'm constantly doing deals, even though I certainly can afford to stop. It's in my blood now, I suppose.

5. Can you hope to speak with them personally on the phone? (Or are they always just too busy for you, and all you can get is a staffer?)
No, I don't sit by the phone waiting like the Maytag repairman. With the number of deals I have going, I'm extremely busy. But I've not forgotten the help that a few mentors gave me along the way. That's why I carve out time on a regular basis to work directly with my students. They don't get some "Junior Assistant Under Vice President for Consumer Affairs" to talk to; if they have a hot deal and need some advice, they can get to me directly.

6. Are they willing to disclose details of specific properties? (Or do they hide behind that "confidential" label?)
I routinely name specific properties, and their detailed investment numbers, in my course materials and live presentations.

7. Do their testimonials list real names that you can call if you really want to? (Or are they cloaked in anonymity, like "J.C., Utah"?)
I give full names, and also city and state for each testimonial. Also, I have the testimonials on file in my office.

8. Can they point to recent successful transactions? (Or is their record ancient history?)
Again, I'm constantly closing on new properties, holding many others for the long term, flipping a few, and selling others outright. If you want to ask me for more details, just contact me and I'd be happy to tell you what's in the pipeline at that moment.

9. Do they still make most of their money in real estate investments? (Teaching's fine, but they should still be making serious money in active investing.)
Between my personal real estate investing, and my real estate agency, and working on joint venture deals with some of my students, I make the majority of my income through real estate investments.

10. Do they also tell you the risks and pitfalls of investing? (Or do they make it sound like any lazy idiot can become a can't-lose millionaire?)
I'm living proof that it's possible to make a fortune in real estate rather quickly: I went from being broke and living in a three-room apartment, to being able to retire, and not work another day in my life...all within four and a half years. However, it wasn't because it was easy! (You DON'T WANT to see my investment scars!) It's more because I compressed a career's worth of investing, and trial, and error, and networking, and so on into a short period.

I want you investing with your eyes fully open. That means having a clear understanding of the wrong ways to invest, as well as the right ways. Both are extremely instructive.

11. Do they have solid, money-back guarantees for a substantial period? (Or do they play the 30-day game, with return reauthorizations, restocking fees, and other hoops you need to jump through?)
It's called "putting your money where your mouth is". Because I know what my information has done for me and for scores of my students--all across the country--I have no problem giving a rock-solid, no-nonsense guarantee. I laugh at the guys who play all these games with return authorizations, and guarantees contingent on proving you applied three techniques from their book, etc. Do they believe in their own stuff, or don't they. Well, I believe in mine, and I back that up by taking the risk off your shoulders, and placing it squarely on mine.

How do you think I did on the test? Did I just hear you say you want to see more? You're one of those hard-headed types, I guess. Fine. I tell you what I'll do: If you tell me below where to send it, I'll put into the mail a Free Special Report, called

If I had that report early in my investing career, it could have saved and earned me millions more. You can have it for free, as my way of proving that I'm no snake oil salesman, but the Real Thing.

Just fill out the confidential form below, and I'll pop a copy of my Special Report in the mail to you.