And speaking of Midas Touch, best-selling author Robert Kiyosaki calls in to share some thoughts about his new book by the same name.  He wrote it with some guy named Donald Trump.  We hear he’s a pretty successful real estate guy and businessman.  So you can bet there are some nuggets of gold in this episode!

The golden voices featured into today’s enriching episode:

• Your host, the golden boy of real estate radio, Robert Helms
• A man who’s nickname for this episode is the Goldfather of Real Estate, Bob Helms
• Special guest, our 2012 Summit at Sea™ featured faculty member and co-author of The Midas Touch, Robert Kiyosaki

As Mr. Kiyosaki reminds us deep into the broadcast, “You can’t do a good deal with a bad partner.”  We think we can safely add to that, “or a bad real estate agent.”

The very term “agent” means that the real estate agent you choose represents YOU.  Sometimes we act like they’re just checkout clerks at the grocery store (with all due respect to checkout clerks at the grocery store).  But a real estate agent isn’t just processing a transaction.  He (or she) is representing YOU in the marketplace…your agent, your mouthpiece.

Long time listeners will remember all our rants our reputation and that good deals go to people who have great relationships.  Now if you’re agent in a market is a schmuck, guess what the effect is on YOUR reputation in that market?  Of course, when you stop and think about it, it’s “Duh!’.  That’s why we do these shows.  So we all stop and think about these things.

Now that we’ve covered the obvious, the bigger discussion is about HOW you find a great agent and work effectively with them.  Since this isn’t a transcript of the show, but an enticement to get you to listen, we won’t belabor the details in this blog.  But considering The Goldfather has been investing since 1957 and brokering since 1980, you can be sure he knows a little bit about the topic.  And of course, Robert worked side by side with Bob for nearly 20 years before hanging up his license and becoming a hot shot radio talk show host.

Half way through the show, we take a call from our very good friend, Robert Kiyosaki.  We’re just days away from hanging together with several dozen (actually over 200!) investors and faculty for our 10th annual Investor Summit at Sea™.  But don’t worry about a sales pitch because the Summit is SOLD OUT.  Don’t cry.  There’s always next year.   But be sure to get on the Advance Notice list, or you might miss the boat next year.

Mr K (as we call him, since we have our own Robert in the house) tells us about his latest book, The Midas Touch.  And he shares some interesting personal insights into Donald Trump, now that they’ve written two books together.

Kiyosaki and Trump are also speaking together at live events promoted by the National Achievers Congress.  We’re obviously bug fans of Robert, but we’ve also seen Mr. Trump speak live a few occasions and he’s been great.  Much of TV (and radio) is scripted, edited and produced for brevity, so it’s a real treat to hear icons of success like Trump and Kiyosaki (did we mention Tony Robbins is also speaking?) live and raw.  Plus, there’s just something about getting out and away from the computer, phone and other noise of our daily routines to soak in knowledge and networking at a live event.

To learn more about the upcoming National Achievers Congress, visit SeeTrumpLive.com.  We’ll be there.  We hope you are too!

For now, enjoy this week’s episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show!

Download audio file (Finding_a_Golden_Real_Esate_Agent_and_Developing_Your_Midas_Touch.mp3)

• Want more? Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ free newsletter!
• Don’t miss an episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show!  Subscribe to the free podcast!
• Connect with The Real Estate Guys™ on Facebook!

See Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and Anthony Robbins LIVE and IN PERSON April 10-12, 2012 in San Jose, California!

If you’re reading this, then we’re guessing you care deeply about your personal success. You probably want more than you have and are looking for great ideas to help take you to the next level. Congratulations! You’re in the right place.

In every generation there are people who become living legends, icons in their field and powerful brands that millions of people recognize and identify with.

In personal development and motivation, no one is more recognized than Anthony Robbins. Millions of people around the world including actors, athletes, captains of industry, powerful politicians and ordinary people of all types have turned to Anthony Robbins to make life-changing breakthroughs in their personal achievement.

Robert Kiyosaki has impacted the lives of tens of millions of people through his teachings on personal finance, investing and entrepreneurship. His signature book, Rich Dad Poor Dad has been translated into dozens of languages and is the best-selling financial book in history.

And of course, Donald Trump is one of the best known real estate and media personalities on the planet. He almost needs no introduction.

What do these amazing achievers have in common and how can they help you?

We can’t presume to speak for any of them (that’s why you should go hear what have to say for yourself), but based on our conversations with Robert Kiyosaki, reading several of each guy’s books, and having seen them all speak several times, we have some ideas.

First, they want to make a difference in the world. Just like Steve Jobs told John Sculley when he was recruiting him away from Pepsi to join Apple, their businesses are bigger than just making money. They want to change the world.

Next, they know the power of ideas. Each one, in their own way, talks about how super-achievers think. And that the difference between being average and being exceptional starts with what’s happening inside your head. Read any of their books and it becomes very clear that they all believe in the power of the mind.

We also think they understand the power of being there. All of these guys, and especially Trump, can reach millions of people through media for a lot less hassle than flying into San Jose to talk to a few thousand people in a conference center. And none of them need the speakers fees. It’s obviously important to them to be there live.

We know that when you get people in a room to hear a live presentation, it is so much more powerful than watching the TV or listening to the radio. That’s why, even though we’re radio guys, we still do live events. It’s harder for us, but it’s more impactful for the audience.

After all, what is the value of just one good idea? Especially when you hear it in an environment where it can really sink in. We can’t promise this event will change your life. But it might. One thing’s for sure. If you’re NOT there, then nothing they say will make a difference for you.

It’s why we make it a point to attend live events and encourage all of our listeners to do the same. We don’t know how many more opportunities you’ll have in your life to see any or all of these three living legends speak live, but they’ll be in San Jose in April. We’re going to be there and we encourage you to be there too!

DONALD TRUMP – ANTHONY ROBBINS – ROBERT KIYOSAKI
LIVE IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 10-12, 2012

Click here to register now!

There’s so much you can learn about life and business through football!  As we considered how to kick off (get it?) the New Year, we thought it would be fun to look into the notion of coaching for real estate investors.  After all, what professional football team heads into a season without a coach?

So we put on our thermals and headed to chilly (but VERY pretty) Salt Lake City Utah to pay a visit on the folks at Rich Dad Coaching.

It’s no secret we’re fans of Robert Kiyosaki and the Rich Dad message.  And on one of our recent field trips we got to know some people who had good things to say about their experience in the Rich Dad Coaching program.  So who better to talk with about this subject than the Rich Dad team?

Behind the microphones for this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show:

• Your frosty breathed host, head coach Robert Helms
• Your frost-bitten co-host, head case Russell Gray
• Special guest, Director of Rich Dad Coaching, Eric Lloyd

Elite achievers in every profession (not just athletics!) use coaches to provide training, accountability, motivation and encouragement.  It only makes sense that someone pursuing excellence in real estate investing would at least entertain the idea of having a coach.

So once the microphones thawed out, we asked Eric to help us understand who needs a coach, how coaching works, what to expect and how to work effectively with a coach once you decide to take  the plunge.

Eric tells us that you don’t need a coach if you’re satisfied with your current level of accomplishment. But we’re guessing most people want to improve.  And even though the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl last year, they still entered the 2011 season with a coach.  So even when you’re just trying to stay at the top of your game, it probably makes sense to have a coach – and certainly if you want to get to the next level.

And speaking of getting to the next level…how about those 49ers?  Look at what an amazing difference coaching makes! A team made of essentially the same players as last year’s team is one game away from going to the Super Bowl!  Though they wouldn’t think so, anyone looking at the 49ers would have to say that even if they lose to the New York Giants, they’ve had an epic year.

When you look at the 49ers turnaround, it makes you wonder what’s possible in your own life with the right coaching!

Eric explains to us that a good coach is a great listener.  And after learning about who are and what you have to work with, the coach helps you develop a game plan that fits YOU.  Just like in football, a good coach will help you play to your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses.

Eric also points out that a good coach brings a team of coaches to effort.  Just like a head football coach has specialty coaches, so Eric says a good investing coach will have associated “resource” coaches to provide technical training and additional perspectives.  We like it.  We know it’s always good to get a lot of brains working on a challenge.

There’s lot more that Eric shares with us, so be sure to listen to the entire episode – and at the end, Eric offers a free resource to reward you for your perseverance.

Listen Now: Download audio file (Getting_to_the_Next_Level_-_Are_You_Ready_for_a_Coach.mp3)

• Don’t miss a show – subscribe to the free podcast!
• Want More?  Sign up for the free newsletter!

The Real Estate Guys™ radio show provides real estate investing news, education, training and resources that helps real estate investors succeed.

We’re honored to be part of a panel that mega-bestselling financial author Robert Kiyosaki ( the Rich Dad Poor Dad series) has invited into his Rich Dad Boardroom on January 19th.  The topic of discussion is How to Increase Your Cash Flow in 2012.  We’re guessing this is high on most people’s goal list for the New Year! To reserve your virtual seat at the meeting, click here.

As you may know, one of Rich Dad’s key concepts is the idea of getting together with smart and experienced people to talk about whatever challenges and opportunities you’re facing.  Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have ready access to all the smart people they’d like.

So we think it’s great that Rich Dad opens up their Boardroom to thousands of people via these live internet broadcasts.  This allows people all over the world to listen in as Robert Kiyosaki visits with the various people who are helping him shape his investment and business strategies.  Of course, we’re thrilled to be invited to contribute.  Hopefully, we’ll think of something brilliant to say! 

If you follow The Real Estate Guys™ (and why wouldn’t you?), you know that we’ve developed a great relationship with the Kiyosakis and the Rich Dad team.  So much so, that Robert & Kim and many of their Advisors are attending our annual Investor Summit at Sea™ in April.  And they’re not only teaching, but they’re staying with us for the entire week!

But why?  And more importantly for you, what can YOU learn from The Real Estate Guys™ relationship with Rich Dad?

First, it’s important to focus on the fundamental premise that effectiveness is almost always accomplished through relationships.  Sure, you can lock yourself in a closet and perform some specific task very efficiently.  But if you want to expand beyond that, you’re going to require the efforts of others, whether they are vendors, employees, volunteers, etc.

The most basic example of this is hiring someone to get something done.  You contribute the money and the other person contributes their effort.  If you do it right, you make a profit on the other person’s effort and grow your business by simply expanding that basic concept.

As a real estate investor, you effectively do the same thing by renting out your property.  In this case, the tenant gets up everyday and goes to work (for someone else) or operates their business.  And each month, they send you a portion of the fruit of their labor.  You have used the vehicle of real estate to accumulate the effort of someone else.  And if you do it right, you end up with profits (positive cash flow), and then you can keep expanding your portfolio by simply adding more and more properties.

The underlying concept is that you become more effective (and wealthier) by accumulating the efforts of others.

Sounds simple right?  Except that for most small business owners and investors, their ability to expand is limited by how they think when they look at their resources.  That is, when they look at their bank balance, they say, “I don’t have enough cash to hire someone or buy another property.”

If you’re one of the people who finds yourself stymied by lack of resources, then you REALLY want to keep reading.

One of the  most important things we’ve learned though our observation of and conversations with with Robert Kiyosaki (and other mentors) is that a business or investment portfolio can expand without being limited by lack of money.

Creative entrepreneurs and investors know how to attract the resources they need without having to pay cash for them.  This is one of the key skills people learn (courtesy of Rich Dad Advisor Wayne Palmer) on our Investor Summit at Sea™.

We get along with Rich Dad because we are both working to promote financial understanding.  And we both believe the mission is best accomplished by providing thought-provoking information.  This stands in contrast to many in the financial space who promote dependence on professional money managers for “hands-off” (brains off?) investors or one-size-fits-all magic formulas for the do-it-yourself investors.

People who want to be told what to do sometimes get frustrated with us, but we’re not catering to those folks.  Our target audience is the people who want their thinking stimulated and are willing to invest the time, money and effort to develop their own understanding.

The Rich Dad Boardroom Live Stream and our Investor Summit at Sea™ are two forums where Rich Dad and The Real Estate Guys™ are working together to provide ideas that you can add to the mix of your continuing financial education.  We invite you to take advantage of them!

Meanwhile, take a look around you as you enter 2012.  What people and organizations do you see who are moving in the same direction as you are (or want to be)?  What methods are they using to get there?  How can you help them and how can they help you?  You may find that you can accelerate your own progress without spending a lot of money!

• Want more? Sign up for our free newsletter!
• Don’t miss an episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show!  Subscribe to the free podcast!
• Stay connected with us on Facebook!

And if that isn’t crazy enough, who would think that people actually need and love the rat race?

In this eclectic episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show, we talk to two very thought provoking guys who look at the world a little differently than your average Joe.

Behind the microphones to bare their brains for all the world to hear:

• Your thoughtful host, Robert Helms
• Bestselling author, real estate entrepreneur and Rich Dad real estate advisor to Robert Kiyosaki, Ken McElroy
• Former White House director of economic policy, author and speaker, Todd Buchholz

First up in these serial interviews is our pal, Ken McElroy.  We love Ken because he’s both the real deal and a regular guy.

Obviously, anyone who has the chops to acquire $300 million of real estate in the midst of the worst financial meltdown in decades is probably worth listening to.  We’re very grateful that he’s willing to let us come hang out in his office and record our conversations to share with you!

HINT:  Spending time with uber successful people is a really great idea – especially when they’re willing to share their wisdom.

So grab your note pad and listen in as Ken McElroy muses on the multi-family market – where it is, where it’s headed and what he’s doing in it.  And even if you’re not ready to be a multi-family mogul, you’re sure to pick up great ideas that you can apply to your own situation.

Next, we bring you a sit down interview with former White House director of economic policy, managing director of the Tiger hedge fund, co-producer of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Jersey Boys, author and speaker, Todd Buchholz.  Yeah, he’s a real couch potato.

How, you may ask, do we always manage to find these amazing guests?  Let’s just say we leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring you thought provoking and useful perspectives!

Now Todd’s topic really has nothing to do with real estate, but a lot to do with people and what motivates them to work.  So if you’re a person and you’re working by desire or necessity, this interview has some great thoughts for you.

Todd’s written a book called Rush – Why You Need and Love The Rat Race.  Now, while many people become real estate investors so they can “get out of the rat race”, Todd’s premise is that people actually thrive not on relaxing, but in working towards worthwhile goals.  We’re guessing he’s a type A, but it’s just a theory.

We found the interview very interesting because his book speaks to the deepest needs and motivations of people to work.  Obviously, to be happy, people need to organize their activities and finances to provide the environment which fulfill their needs and motivations.  The big question then is, what do you really, REALLY want?

So, as we approach the end of another year (can you believe it?!?), it’s a great time to contemplate your motivations, goals, plans and activities.  We think this interview will help stimulate those contemplations.

And if you want to take the whole process (warning – upcoming shameless self-promotion) to a much deeper and practical level,  you’ll want to attend our upcoming goal setting workshop.

For now, enjoy these stimulating conversations with two very bright and accomplished guys.

Listen Now:
Download audio file (Multi-Family_Market_Musings_plus_a_Different_Look_at_the_Rat_Race.mp3)

• Don’t miss a show – subscribe to the free podcast!
• Want More?  Sign up for the free newsletter!

The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training and resources to helps real estate investors succeed. Visit us on Facebook!

Rich Dad Poor Dad

And while the idea of spending an ENTIRE WEEK at a conference may seem a little boring, nearly seven of the eight days take place aboard a cruise ship sailing the Caribbean and visiting four beautiful ports.  That’s the complete opposite of boring.

Wow!  Fun in the sun and financial education too.  No wonder Robert and Kim are smiling.  And when you join us, you’ll be smiling too!

After all, we already have people coming from ten different countries.  Just imagine the caliber of people you’ll meet, the quality of conversations you’ll enjoy, and all the things you’ll learn!  Plus we have an all star faculty – all of whom have committed not only to teach,, but to hang out with you at our private parties, shore excursions, round table discussions and nightly shipboard meals.  Really, is there ANY other place you can go to get this level of education, access and entertainment?

Here’s a special message from Robert Kiyosaki:

And this special message from Robert and Kim is for couples: 

This Investor Summit at Sea™ is a VERY RARE opportunity for you to learn from and get to know the Kiyosakis, their Rich Dad Advisors and, of course, The Real Estate Guys™ and the rest of our amazing Summit faculty – all aboard the spectacular Carnival Dream.

So make your plans NOW to be on board March 30th – April 7th, 2012.  Space is limited and your reservation must be secured many weeks in advance.  If you wait too long, the event may sell out.  Don’t miss the boat!!! For all the the details, click here now.

But what if the changes aren’t temporary?  What is we’re living in a new economic reality?

And for the younger set, if the economic landscape really is different, then do the old road maps apply…or are there new rules of the road?

That’s a lot to think about!

So for help, we flew out to sunny Scottsdale, Arizona to visit with a guy that thinks about this kind of stuff all the time.  He is the most prolific financial author in history, whose message of financial education, entrepreneurism and alternative investing has resonated with many millions of people all over the globe.

In the Rich Dad studios for a special “on location” episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show:

•  Your prolific host, Robert Helms
• Your amateur-lific co-host, Russell Gray
• Author, entrepreneur and investor, Robert Kiyosaki

We’re guessing that if you’re reading this blog, you’re pretty serious about your financial education.  And if you put your education into effective action, you’re probably going to accumulate a bunch of wealth over your life time.  Good for you!

But if you fast forward a little but further, you may find yourself with grown kids and grandkids – and maybe more than that.  Are you excited about leaving them all your wealth?  If so, do you also have a plan for leaving them your financial education too?

What?  You hadn’t really thought about that?  Well, that’s what we’re here for!  While you’re out working hard to earn money, make good investments and build wealth for your family for generations to come, we’re traveling around the world seeking the best and brightest minds.  When we find someone like Robert Kiyosaki, we grab a microphone and start pulling great ideas out of his head to make them available to you.

So listen in and find out what our special guest Robert Kiyosaki has to say about what the rich teach their children,and that the poor and middle class do not.  Enjoy!

Listen now!  Download audio file (Teach_Your_Children_Well_-_The_Rules_of_Money_Have_Changed.mp3)

• Don’t miss a show – subscribe to the free podcast!
• Want More?  Sign up for the free newsletter!

We’ll be talking real estate and how investors can take advantage of today’s real estate market.

To get in on the action, just go to our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/TheRealEstateGuys and Like us!

If you aren’t on Facebook or can’t make the time, fill out the form below and we’ll send you a link to a recording of the live event as soon as it’s ready.

Robert Kiyosaki and his Rich Dad Advisors® will be talking about how investors can capitalize on all the turmoil in today’s economic environment.  Gold is at all time highs.  Interest rates are at historic lows.  The US is teetering on the brink of default as the debt ceiling debate rages on.  Wouldn’t you like to know what several successful real world investors are thinking?  We do!

Robert Kiyosaki is one of our favorite financial gurus. We know he’s sometimes controversial, but we don’t get the criticisms.  He preaches the importance of education, surrounding yourself with qualified professionals, and understanding that most of the world’s financial marketing and “education” programs are designed to steer uninformed consumers into the waiting arms of brokerage houses, bankers and tax collectors.  Kiyosaki says financial education is essential to your economic well being. What’s controversial about that?

Besides, whether you agree with him or not, the fact remains that he’s the best selling financial author in the history of the planet.  That alone makes him worth listening to, since millions of people around the world are influenced by him.

As for us, we like Robert and his advisors a lot.  We’re very fortunate to get backstage with the Kiyosakis and many of their advisors.  If you’re a regular listener to The Real Estate Guys™ radio show or podcast, then you know we’ve had Rich Dad Advisors Ken McElroy and Wayne Palmer as faculty on our last two Summits.  And not only are Ken and Wayne coming back for 2012, but Robert and Kim Kiyosaki will also be on board the Summit for the entire week!

We’ve gotten great personal and professional advice from Robert and the Rich Dad Advisors that has made a positive difference in our lives. We’re big fans. We think the world will be much better off as every day working people make it a priority to expand their financial education.  It’s why we do the radio show, run our mentoring clubs, promote Rich Dad and others who believe in education, and run around collecting interviews and expert opinions from as many people as we can.  Ideas, information, strategies and perspectives from lots of sources are a great way to form your own well-crafted opinions.

We encourage you to join us and listen in to Robert, Kim and the Rich Advisors on August 11th as they talk about the pressing economic issues of today and where the opportunities are.  The event isn’t free, but it sure isn’t expensive!  It’s a very small investment in your education which has the potential to pay huge dividends.  Afterwards, drop us a note on our Feedback page and let us know what you thought.

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

If necessity is the mother of invention, then surely distress is the mother of creativity.

It’s an age old principle in personal development: hard times have the potential to bring out the best in people depending on their mindset and peer group. The Bible says in James for believers to “count it all joy” when hard times come because that’s how faith is built.  Football teams bond during “hell week” at training camp in the heat of the summer.  Heroes are born against the backdrop of horrific tragedies such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or the deadly skirmishes of war.  It’s the quintessential pearl being formed in response to the irritation of the sand sand in the oyster’s shell.

For some real estate investors, the last few years have been difficult (to say the least!).  Many took horrific losses and lots of “wannabe” investors threw in the towel and quit.  But some investors have used the experiences to learn valuable lessons and develop creative ways to push through and find profit opportunities in the rubble.

And though the economic repercussions of the mortgage meltdown are still with us, it isn’t the dominate headline of a few years ago.  People are focusing forward, markets are slowly healing, and life goes on.

For the active real estate investor, the creative juices which were released during the disaster continue to flow. It’s that creativity that makes deals happen when lending is at a standstill.  For those who master the art of creative real estate, these are some of the most exciting times in recent memory!

For this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ Radio Show, we invited a guy who’s been finding interesting ways to close deals and generate profits – even in a “bad” economy.

In this studio for another exciting foray into the wonderful world of real estate investment talk:

• Your host and creative genius, Robert Helms
• Co-host and grain of sand, Russell Gray
• Special guest, creative real estate investor, David Campbell

When you can buy property for below replacement cost, you’d think it would be easy to figure out how to make money. Then again, when a property is that cheap, it’s usually for a reason.  So what should be obvious often isn’t as easy as you might think.  That’s why it takes creative investors to lead the way out of any down market.  When any schmo can buy a property, finding a deal is the critical skill.  But when it’s hard to do a deal, deals are plentiful – but only for those who know how to get the deal done.

Since there isn’t any cookie cutter magic formula for creative real estate investing and every deal presents its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, the investor with real world experience and a large network of creative advisors has a competitive edge.  Hard problems are often solved with a team brainstorming session, which is why having your own mastermind group is a huge asset.  For us, our mentoring club and annual Investor Summit at Sea™ are where we grow and spend quality time with our mastermind group.  Of course, you’re invited to join us in 2012 when Robert and Kim Kiyosaki , plus Rich Dad Advisors Ken McElroy, Wayne Palmer; along with attorney Mauricio Rauld and international developer Beth Clifford (and some other soon to be announced special guest faculty) spend an entire week together to talk real estate investing aboard a cruise ship in the beautiful Caribbean.

For now, listen in as we discuss specific real life lessons in creative real estate with special guest David Campbell.

Download audio file (Creative_Solutions_to_Todays_Property_Problems.mp3)

• Don’t miss a show – subscribe to the free podcast!
• Sign up for the free newsletter!