Feedback on Toby Unwin's One Deal From Retirement

[LSipe]

I'm interested in launching a commercial real estate investment business.  I'd like to make sure that I have all the information I need to suceed.  So, I'm reading books, talking to other investors, blah, blah, blah.

One of the courses that I've come across is Toby Unwin's One Deal From Retirement.  Has anyone taken this course?  And, would you recommend it?  What other educational resources should I consider?

Thanks for the help.

[Dynomac]

Where did you find Toby Unwin's course?  Does he have a website?

[IndyBruce]

It looks like he is a  UK  guru.

Thats    United Kingdom

 :

Bruce

[dealmaker]

I hope you didn't buy this material. Absolutely the worst information product I have ever seen. I'm an experienced commercial real estate investor, and ordered it because several people have asked me about the material.

The "manual" is about twenty pages with literally three sentences per page (posed as questions like a quiz for the videos). That's not a typo, I said 3 sentences per page (sometimes 2), plus two simplistic forms copied six times each.

Much of his information is just flat wrong. The spreadsheet formulas for debt service are wrong. The evaluation methodology is wrong. The "deal filter" is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. (i.e. buy when the cap rate is at least 1.5 points above the loan rate.) I'd love to sell property to this guy!

The videos are even worse. Opens with a tour with Toby in a multi-million dollar house in orlando. He says it's his, but if so he didn't pay for it from commercial real estate. Then he moves to a studio where another Brit (Toby is from the UK) interviews him. Listening to the guy stumble through material he obviously doesn't have a clue about is painful.

But hey, what can you expect coming from Agora and Early To Rise, who've never met a hustle they couldn't sell. I'll be so glad to send it back with a copy of my thoughts.

[Lind]

Hi,
I'm also trying to transition from residential to commercial and I'm having no luck getting information on how to get started. Does anyone know how to get trained and open for business??!?
Any good courses that you know of? I've found that most people are not willing to share.
Thanks for any thoughts on this.

[patti porter]

The best thing to do is to read and research about commercial investing.  Then you need to ask yourself some questions:

1) How much money do you have to use towards your investment?  Most lending programs want at least 20% down plus closing costs, which can run around $2,000 and up.  You will also need some money for reserves, maintanence, legal, etc.

2) What type of property do you want to buy?  Apartments, shopping center, office, etc.  What type of property can you afford to buy?

I would also suggest that you network at your local REIA and find out who else is investing in commercial properties.

Regards,
Patti Porter

[aowilkin]

Also,

Why are you investing?
Are you looking for an active investment where by you dramatically increase your net worth in a short amount of time by buying undervalued property and turning it around?

Or

Are you looking for a long term passive investment with no
management, no maintenance, no insurance, and no section 8?
A passive investment deal can be put together with a long term
proffesional(corporate) tenant in place for the next 15-20years.

Your prefference will determine what resources you need to seek
out.


Hope this helps
Aole

[gallo06ss]

the transition from residential to commercial, for that you need some cash to play the game, specially the appraisals, from 200 dolars average in residential  to 3000 dolars in commercial, (just the appraisal) keep that in mind, i am also looing for some reliable and realistic info in commercial.

[developerinlondon]

I hope you didn't buy this material. Absolutely the worst information product I have ever seen. I'm an experienced commercial real estate investor, and ordered it because several people have asked me about the material.

The "manual" is about twenty pages with literally three sentences per page (posed as questions like a quiz for the videos). That's not a typo, I said 3 sentences per page (sometimes 2), plus two simplistic forms copied six times each.

Much of his information is just flat wrong. The spreadsheet formulas for debt service are wrong. The evaluation methodology is wrong. The "deal filter" is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. (i.e. buy when the cap rate is at least 1.5 points above the loan rate.) I'd love to sell property to this guy!

The videos are even worse. Opens with a tour with Toby in a multi-million dollar house in orlando. He says it's his, but if so he didn't pay for it from commercial real estate. Then he moves to a studio where another Brit (Toby is from the UK) interviews him. Listening to the guy stumble through material he obviously doesn't have a clue about is painful.

But hey, what can you expect coming from Agora and Early To Rise, who've never met a hustle they couldn't sell. I'll be so glad to send it back with a copy of my thoughts.

Absolute %$*&... How much research have you done on Toby Unwin? You obviously have no idea who he is. Do some research before you make comments. His course is the best course I have come across so far. How much of his techniques have you tried using? (and failed?)
I found EVERYTHING works that he mentions in his course, I have started using his techniques over the last 2 months. So far everything is going exactly as he mentions.

[dealmaker]

I've been in commercial real estate for over 25 years. My deal volume averages about $10mm a year. You've been in it two months, Unwin about two years. In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king? Enough said.

[developerinlondon]

so being in it for 25 years makes you all knowing?

[kdhastedt]

Please keep the discussions civil and profanity-free.

Thanx,

Keith
Moderator

[Factman]

Who out there has actually done deals with this method and can show proof of success? (Blank out personal info)

It would be a nice day when we can get something real that works
and not endless opinions

What is a good, reliable commercial real estate course (US)?

[Admin]

Well, as owner of this site, I'll vouch for the course put out by Dealmaker above.  His name is Ray Alcorn and he's not blowing smoke.  We've been friends for many years and his deal volume does average 10 mil per year.  He knows commercial real estate, period.

http://www.reiclub.com/products/354

And if he says Unwin's course is terrible, then you should take that at face value, and assume that anyone who's promoting the course is merely a shill for the author.

[starke]

wow... as far as reading goes... it can be very helpful, but like all knowledge needs some practical application.

I'd recommend brokering transactions for a year.... you can buy at the same time.

You'll be surprised how many deals that you'll come across as a broker in a market area that would never have made it your direction as a principal.

Easy to become a broker... tough business... but very educational.