Get Online!

Make the information superhighway a key part of your wealth-building plan

By Jordan Taylor

In just a few short years, the Internet has transformed from something only geeks understood to an incredible information and communication tool for ordinary people. The impact of technology on the business of real estate investing has been tremendous. Investors can find deals, exchange information, network, and learn new techniques on-line. Research that used to take hours or even days in musty courthouses now takes seconds and minutes and can be done from the comfort of your home or even from your favorite coffee house.

There's so much available, it's easy to overlook some valuable resources. For example, at Wealth Intelligence Academy®'s website, www.wiacademy.com, you'll find:

• Training information. The site includes a complete schedule of advanced training classes for real estate investors and stock traders. You can review the class summaries, check the schedule to see when and where the class will be held, and even register online. You can also get e-learning information.

• Internet-based webshops. Get the details and sign up for live online training. Experienced instructors are online at the same time you are, giving you personalized attention. The internet allows Wealth Intelligence Academy to bring the class to you in the comfort of your home, office, or even a hotel room—anywhere you have an internet connection and a landline phone.

• Online discussion boards. You can ask questions, give answers, solve problems, get ideas, and even seek out other investors to partner with on deals. Participants are knowledgeable and generous with their expertise, making the value of this free resource virtually incalculable.

• A link to Wealth Intelligence Academy's blog (www.educateblog.com), where you can get current advice and commentary on real estate investing and wealth building from our trainers, mentors, and other in-house experts.

"We know our students depend on us for the latest information on real estate investing, and we are committed to meeting their needs through both technology and content," says Suanne Mosson, web content manager for Wealth Intelligence Academy . “We have created an efficient, user-friendly web site driven by state-of-the-art technology. We have an entire staff dedicated to making sure the content of our site is valuable to our users.”

Mosson says a big advantage of gathering information and networking online is the constant availability. "We're there 24/7," she says. "It doesn't matter what time zone you're in, whether you have to work during the day and handle your investing business at night, or whether you just have an oddball schedule, you can access our site any time from any place, and get the information and resources you need."

Your Tax Dollars at Work: Government Web Sites Worth Visiting

Across the country, more and more counties are putting their property records online, so most investors have quick and easy access to details on properties they may be interested in buying. Start by checking the property appraiser's site in the area in which you intend to invest.

You'll also find useful information at www.census.gov, which is the U.S. Census Bureau web site. At www.bls.gov, the Bureau of Labor Statistics site, you'll find information regarding employment and other economic trends that will help you make good investment decisions. And if these sites don't have the statistics you need, go to www.fedstats.com, which is a gateway to statistics from more than 100 U.S. federal agencies.

At www.hud.gov, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers detailed information about a wide range of federal programs that are of interest to real estate investors. You'll also gain valuable knowledge by browsing the Ginnie Mae site at www.ginniemae.gov. Get excellent consumer advice at the Federal Citizen Information Center at www.pueblo.gsa.gov. Although they are not officially government agencies, check out the Fannie Mae site at www.fanniemae.com and the Freddie Mac site at www.freddiemac.com.

Know the Site You're Visiting

"There's so much out there, it's hard to know what's reliable and what's not," Mosson says. "Be sure you get your information from sites that are operated by established, reputable entities. Our reputation for offering the highest quality real estate training extends to our online content."

Set aside a few minutes each day to check discussion boards and other sites that will help you stay current on the market and make sound decisions. "Thanks to the Internet, it's faster and easier than ever to build a profitable real estate investing business," says Mosson. "We invite people to make our site part of their personal Power Team and let us help them reach their goals."

Jordan Taylor is the editor of Millionaire Mentor™ newsletter.