How to find Real Estate Deals/Sponsors?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some detailed tips to increase deal flow and connections with new sponsors, especially if starting from scratch:

1. Networking Events and Coffee Chats:

   • Attend industry conferences and networking events to meet potential sponsors.
   • Invite individuals for one-on-one coffee meetings to discuss strategies and build relationships.

2. Leverage Existing Connections:

   • Utilize your current network to get warm introductions to new sponsors.
   • Offer to bring them in as co-investors on deals that fit their criteria to earn points and build trust.

3. Volunteer and Alumni Networks:

   • Volunteer in industry-related organizations like CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) to meet potential mentors and sponsors.
   • Leverage alumni mentoring programs or executive/entrepreneur in residence programs if you are still in school.

4. Cold Outreach and Database Mining:

   • Create a list of firms in your area that hire finance people and reach out to them.
   • Use LinkedIn to find and connect with individuals who have relevant experience but are not too high up to ignore you.

5. Building Relationships Over Time:

   • Focus on building genuine relationships based on trust, integrity, honesty, respect, conscientiousness, and reliability.
   • Understand that relationships take years to develop and require consistent effort.

6. Track Record and Portfolio:

   • Develop a track record by successfully exiting deals and building a portfolio of previous projects.
   • Use this track record to attract new capital sources and sponsors.

7. Warm Introductions to LPs:

   • Aim for warm introductions to Limited Partners (LPs) as they are more likely to invest if they know you or have a trusted connection.

8. Industry Expertise:

   • Build industry expertise to have investable points of view and be seen as a valuable partner.
   • Stay in touch with companies in your niche space and add value so they think of you first when they decide to transact.

9. Repeatable Sourcing Methods:

   • Experiment with repeatable ways to source deals, such as industry conferences and coffee chats.
   • Maintain and build relationships consistently to keep the deal pipeline active.

By following these steps, you can effectively increase your deal flow and build connections with new sponsors, even if starting from scratch.

Sources: From Real Estate Finance to Founder of Development Company - Q&A, How Would You “re-do” Your RE Job Hunt?, How to say I have connections?, Best Resources For Raising Capital For Emerging RE Developers?, How to create value from my network