Updated March 9, 2021

A real estate investors association (REIA) is a good place to learn more about real estate investing and the associated industries. These clubs can also be a great way to network with those who can help you in the pursuit of your goals. If you live in the Orange County area, follow these steps to join the Orange County REIA (OCREIA).

4 Steps for Joining the OCREIA

1. Is OCREIA Right for Me?
2. Contact the OCREIA
3. Attend the Next Meeting
4. Choose a Membership

The Orange County Real Estate Investors Association (OCREIA) is a group of real estate investors and related professionals who meet to exchange ideas and support their mutual industries. The Orange County REIA meets monthly and each meeting may include a guest speaker who will discuss a topic of interest for real estate investors. Subjects covered, such as flipping houses, may also be of interest to those in related industries.

Orange County spans a vast amount of real estate in California and includes some amazing waterfront property. Some of the biggest cities in this county are Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa which is where the OCREIA venue is located.

While not affiliated with the National REIA, OCREIA provides a variety of benefits, focusing on important subjects that benefit their members in the Orange County area. Real estate agents, brokers, lenders, lawyers, suppliers, and contractors attending these meetings, and there is always time for networking and forming business partnerships.

1. Is OCREIA Right for Me?

There are many real estate investor clubs and associations in California. Whichever club you choose, it is important to check to see if the association is affiliated with or a chapter of the National Real Estate Investors Association. Use caution when selecting a REIA, as not every group has your best interests at heart. There are some groups which are more focused on selling you products than being a helpful resource.

Before joining OCREIA, keep in mind that it is not affiliated with the National REIA. Official chapters and affiliates of the National REIA give their members additional access to National REIA benefits and networks. This could be an important factor if you invest in property on a national level. It’s a good idea to try several organizations to see which one works best for you. Consider what each club offers in addition to monthly meetings. For example, some REIAs offer hands-on workshops and even guided tours showing members what to look for when flipping a home.

You are also not limited to one choice—you’re welcome to attend meetings of multiple REIAs each month. For example, 40 minutes to the north, depending on traffic, is the LA South REIA. An hour drive south is the San Diego Creative Investors REIA. You’ll discover that each REIA offers different benefits associated with membership.

Some real estate investors choose to buy a full membership in a REIA with great benefits, while occasionally attending meetings at other REIAs when a topic is especially interesting. This way, you can maximize the benefits you receive while minimizing annual costs.

2. Contact the OCREIA

OCREIA usually meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa. The address of this event center is 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. The President and founder of OCREIA is Kaaren Hall who established the limited liability company (LLC) in 2012.

For membership information, you can call 866-200-1435 to contact OCREIA by phone. If you decide to attend an OCREIA meeting, it’s a good idea to bring several business cards. These meetings are a great way to find other motivated investors who can help you achieve your goals by complementing your skill sets. They are also great places to find solutions to problems you run into, as another member may have experience in the matter and know of a solution.

As you get to know other members, you’ll be able to build a team that provides the skills needed to make your investment dreams a reality. For example, you may have experience flipping single-family homes but want to branch into commercial real estate investing. At an OCREIA meeting, you’ll be able to meet a variety of experts and form partnerships. Be cautious before making financial commitments and carefully consider any deals. Before signing any documents, always seek the expert advice of a real estate lawyer.

3. Attend the Next Meeting

Before you purchase an annual membership, it is a good idea to attend a monthly meeting first. This will help you get a feel for the club and its leaders. At a low price of just $20 for non-members, you can attend a meeting at OCREIA. Meetings at this Orange County REIA are held the second Thursday of each month.

Other REIAs in the Los Angeles area have their meetings on different days. This allows you to potentially be a member of multiple REIAs. Orange County Real Estate Investors Association monthly events are often held at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel between Costa Mesa and Irvine in California. Check-in starts at 5:30 pm, which allows time for networking before the meeting begins at 6:30 pm. The presentation typically runs from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Parking is available, starting at $5 and $10 for valet. Prices may be subject to change, so refer to the OCREIA for current pricing.

Real estate investors associations (REIAs) offer the opportunity to meet some of the key players in your local real estate community. These clubs are also a good place to meet other investors or real estate professionals who can help you achieve your goals. In the past, OCREIA has had over 70 people attend a single event. Networking, education, and other benefits entice many people to become members. Most professionals attend these local real estate investor associations in order to meet future real estate partners and mentors.

4. Choose a Membership

An annual membership with OCREIA costs $199.  This membership allows free entry to monthly meetings and reduced rates on other events hosted by the OCREIA. If you attend a meeting as a non-member and pay the entry fee of $20 then later decide to become a member, you can apply that $20 to the $199 member charge. This is allowed for only a short period of time, typically that same night. Many REIAs offer similar programs in order to encourage attendance prior to membership.

Before committing to a membership, carefully consider your options. If you plan to invest in the Orange County area, joining OCREIA could be very helpful. However, if you plan to invest on a national level, you may wish to join a REIA that is affiliated with the National REIA. Those who obtain a membership in a REIA that is affiliated with the National REIA are extended membership benefits from the National REIA as well. National REIA provides educational material for members along with other benefits.

Official chapters of the National REIA are required to follow certain rules and pay additional fees, which is why some clubs like OCREIA choose not to associate. You could always obtain a membership at a National REIA affiliated local association and then attend the OCREIA meetings that sound interesting for only $20 each.

Benefits of Joining the OCREIA

There are many benefits of joining a REIA. A real estate investment association helps you meet other local investors and real estate professionals. You may be able to find other investors who would be willing to pool funds for a joint investment.

Real estate investment associations provide financial benefits to members. Primarily, these opportunities come by meeting and networking with others who can help. Members of OCREIA include real estate agents, lawyers, mortgage banking agents, independent contractors, and more. In some cases, county property tax assessors and collectors will attend meetings.

One other major benefit of joining a REIA is the specialized education it provides. Many real estate investment clubs offer training so members can achieve their dreams. You’ll be able to take advantage of formalized mentorship programs as well as receive informal support from like-minded investors who can help you stay motivated and on track.

OCREIA Annual Events

The Orange County Real Estate Investors Association generally offers a meeting once a month. Presentations include a variety of topics from taxes to crowdfunding. OCREIA invites experts to discuss these subjects and answer questions. For example, one meeting may focus on real estate syndication and group investing, while the next meeting will cover crowdfunding and how to use online platforms to raise capital. Other topics can include recent changes to tax laws that impact real estate or the latest technology trends in the real estate industry. Each meeting is designed to provide with the tools and training you need to succeed.

Orange County Real Estate Investors Association

Joining your local real estate investors association (REIA) is a great way to learn more about real estate investing and meet other professionals. The support that a club provides can range from informal partnerships to a formal mentorship program. Experienced members will coach and try to help new members who are new to investing. By uniting a group, members can protect the industry through greater bargaining and lobbying power.

REIA membership includes financial benefits, such as vendor and supplier discounts from stores like Home Depot. Members can also pool their resources and invest in major real estate deals that would otherwise be unattainable. In addition to the support, motivation, mentorship, and financial benefits of joining a REIA, many real estate investors associations provide educational information and training during monthly meetings. These educational meetings can cover a range of topics and skills that real estate investors will find useful.

There are several REIAs in the Los Angeles area near Orange County, so you do have some options. Some of the other REIAs are affiliated with the National REIA and include access to both local club and national level education and benefits. The National Real Estate Investors Association even hosts a National REIA university and offers downloadable guides and tutorials.

The OCREIA can help you take your investing to the next level. Remember to carefully consider the fine print before joining others in a real estate deal. Be sure to seek expert legal advice before signing any documents. It can be hard to exit a joint investment once you’ve committed. Your money will be tied up in the investment unless another member buys your stake.

The experienced legal team at Anderson Advisors is here to help. Our services include protecting your interests in a legal agreement, creating a retirement plan, optimizing your tax strategy, estate planning, and more. Reach out today for a free strategy consultation.