HANS JAKOBI – ANYONE USED HIS STRATEGIES???

Renabelz,
4K seems a lot of money to pony up with for course. Of course the DVD will look fantastic, would you expect otherwise?
Before ploughing in heaps for a course that may have a narrow focus on a few methods, I recommend READING WIDELY.
Steve McKnights books are good, subscribe to Micheal Yardleys news letter, read Rich Dad Poor Dad series and I am sure there are many more books other forumites will recommend.   If you undertake a course before you establish a general grounding of property investing it will go straight over your head and money straight out your wallet.

I am assuming you are a novice in this area mainly because of your recent membership on this site. If you are a seasoned investor I think that most of these 'programs'  ' boot camps' etc are just rehashing what is in the books. I attended one of Steve McKnights courses and really only learnt that I already knew most of it.  If you are a starter, go to a one day course like Steve's for the $700 range and you will get value.  I was recently told (by another forumite) that Micheal Yardley holds a 1 day course and it was the best thing she had attended, so there you go……

JTW

Hi there
I have actually done the initial Hans Jacobi course at a time when we were considering where to invest for our next property.

I know it is a lot of money but I don't regret getting it – because it is not just limited to property investment topics.  The program starts with looking at your structure to buy – in this case property – takes you through the process – including the inquiries to be made and how you do your due diligence.  Trusts are discussed and so are estate planning issues.  Some of the presenters on the program are Dale Gatherum Goss, Dympha Boholt – who are well known in the wealth creation game.  Other presenters were mortgage brokers and solicitors.

Consideration is given to self managed super funds and one of the DVD's is devoted to tricks for young players.  One of the best pieces of information we obtained on the DVD's was how to finance the purchases to avoid cross collateralising your investments.  The final DVD highlights that once you have made your wealth – perhaps it is time to give back to your community.

The benefit for us was that both my husband and I could sit down and watch the DVD and stop it – discuss the issues and see how it relates to our situation.  We have also shown it to family members particularly when talking about testamentary trusts.

The only downside is that a lot of the information relates to the period in the late 90's when it was possible to get a property with a yield of 10% – it is different nowadays and Hans latest programs are more into the value adding aspect of property.

As we already had property, we could claim the course as a tax deduction as it was increasing our knowledge.  We did use the information and have since bought two properties utilising the information obtained.

I do agree you will get similar information from a lot of other authors – but for us – that was a very succint way of obtaining information that you would get from a financial planner as well as people who are in the property side of the wealth creation game.

There is also a lot of other information that comes with the course including checklists for landlords (if you want to self manage) and clauses to use in your contracts – there are also books to read which hopefully give you a positive mindset.

Yes it is lot of money – but those of you who have not done the course – cannot really judge how useful it can be – particularly when you are undecided on your next steps.

After undertaking the course – we set up our own trust structure – sorted out all the wills side of things and had a better idea what to look for to achieve cashflow and how to negotiate to get the best deal possible.  It was actually after Hans course that I got onto this site and the Somersoft site.
thanks

Hi JTW
your comments are noted – but I would say that we easily recovered the costs of the course as a result of the negotiation skills learned – when purchasing properties subsequently.

What I also failed to mention is that if you purchase the course – you also have a personal consultation by phone with Hans – at a time convenient to you to discuss issues of concern – and you also get sent other similar such interviews so you can learn from others experiences.

As I highlighted above – you will get much of the same information from other sources but the benefit is it is in one set of reference material.  The presenters are all accounting and legal professionals who do a good job explaining for example where trusts started and why they are used, the various options with wills and estate planning, how you prepare for a finance application and what the solicitor does when undertaking your conveyancing.  It is just a different medium for receiving the material than reading it in a book. 

I have been to other courses and have not felt the need to purchase any more material given the reference material that I already have.

I do think utilising the forums is a good idea because you can vent your issues or discuss options with like minded people who can raise points you may not have considered.

It does come down to a personal decision and a personal preference how best you absorb material – if you are a reader – yes you can get the other material – if you are more visual – then perhaps this is a good option for you.  I note that I had done a lot of reading of books such as the Kiwosaki books such as Rich Dad, Poor Dad, had read Jan Somers book but still felt that the question and answer presentations in the DVDs were good for someone just starting out.  It was good from my husband's point of view – because he tends to get me to read the material then get me to summarise the points rather than read it himself.  He could watch the DVD's and then stop it and ask questions if he didn't understand the point being made.

I am not trying to sell this course – particularly on Steve's website – but I just don't want someone bagging it from ignorance.

thanks

HI there JTW
I am certainly not trying to make any of this personal – and I think you a right to feel cautious, skeptical and be tight with money.

I was just trying to answer the question put by renabelz if anyone has done the Hans Jacobi course and are they using the methods propounded.  As the answer was yes – I was trying to give the author of the question some information about what was included in the course – the down side of the material – and whether it might be worthwhile.

I found the course extremely comprehensive – it took me a solid month to get through all the material forwarded – and I do think it represented value for money.  There is also a money back guarantee if people are not happy with the material.

I note that I have met Hans and his daughter Stephanie at another property course in Brisbane and both are very genuine people.  Michael Yardney and Bill Zheng also Tony Melvin were some of the other presenters at the same course – so I am speaking as someone who has been investing in property since 1987 and has attended courses and read material.

If you look at some of the posts by Michael Yardney on the Somersoft forum you will see that he still pays for his self education and attends courses – and if he feels as if he learns one new thing from the course – then it is worthwhile.  I am of the same opinion.
thanks

If you are going to be a serious investor then 4k is not a lot to spend I have no idea how long his course is but I assume it is fairly indepth.  Any training whether it be through a Tafe, University or whatever does not come cheap if it has the worth while material. 

If Steve charged $700 for one day how many days is the Hans Course?  Good information does not come cheap however you can spend the next 10 years picking up bits and pieces all over the place if you choose I guess you have to weigh that up.  If you were to rely on the forum for a quality education I think it would be lacking somewhat.  Yes it is good for bits and pieces however a serious person would seek sound knowledge elsewhere.  Or through Steves books and training

Hi again

http://www.realestatesecrets.com.au

is the website for anyone wanting to do a compare and contrast.  Wanelad – you will see that what you are paying for represents 543 hours of work to prepare material on 24 DVDs which each run for over an hour plus the additional written material.

I would agree that Hans and Steve have much in common – they are both Accountants by training and are both advocating the positive cashflow approach to property investing.  But both have moved on from the 90's where a property could drop into your laps for a yield of 10%.  I note that Hans book How to be Rich and Happy was first published in May 1998.

It is important to note that both are advocating more creative approaches to achieve the positive cashflow – and both are more into developing property to achieve that end.

thanks

Great comments Kiwifuller…..and I think you have confimed what I posted earlier when you said ….Quote the yeild is has come down to 6%,
You have done well using your combination of Hans info, own skill and a few brave pills, and obviously now reaping the benefits. BUT the current yield you mentioned now based on current valuations/appraisels  (if lucky) is generally what new investors are also coming in at – thus making a most of the 'out of the box' 'positive geared' properties virtually non existant without major work, luck, negotiaition, or a combination of all three…..still great in principal though.
All the best with your proposed changes in strategy!

I think you will find that both Steve and Hans both started their investment strategies after a SEMINAR from Rob Kiyosaki.
At the end of the day it boils down to putting stategies into place that you gleen from the course.
If you are not prepared to act on the stategies then there is no point in spending the money or in other words if you spend the money on the course, make sure you implement at least one of the stategies you obtain.

Thanks for sharing that Abruzzi – with your attitude to learn, and willingness to have coughed up that much to start with you'll do great I'm sure. Some good suggestions there too. Must admit, even though I live in NSW the way in which people can be gazzumped in todays market is a shocking set up. I've seen the odd occaassion where a few vendors are all pushing for their finance 'urgently' for this very reason. Makes it about the hardest state to buy 'cheaply' in my humble opinion, although I'm sure their are some seasoned investors on the forum that do so regularly and successfully……  All the best with your journey and your new purchase!

Hi there

I've read a bit of Han's material and have dealt with him briefly from a Real Estate Agent's perspective and he's a very open and knowledgable guy. 

I'd say, if you've got any questions, give him a call and clarify them to see if his course contains the information you're after.  I've heard some really positive feedback for some of the investors I've dealt with who've done the courses he offers. 

One thing I particularly liked about him, is that he doesn't do the whole "Secrets only available from my course" thing.  He is happy to have a chat with you about your investment style, and drop a hint here and there.  He will tell you straight up if his course suits your style, and doesn't hold off on sharing his information just to make a buck.  I think you'll get more out of a course than will out of a 5 minute conversation, but by speaking with him, you'll get an idea of what he's about.  He came across as a really genuine guy to me.  I'm a fan.

All the best with your property investments and congratulations on educating yourself before jumping in.  I'm a big advocate of having a plan and staying in the game.   There's a lot to learn, but it's a rewarding industry to work in.

Kind Regards

Tanya Black