image of scale indicating benefits and costs of hiring a the wrong guide with title above : When Choosing the Wrong Investment Guide Costs More Than Money DEKKER TEAM.COM blogIn the world of real estate investing, a polished presentation can be dangerously misleading. A sleek social media profile, charismatic delivery, and confident tone might feel reassuring—but without real-world experience behind it, that charm can mask a serious lack of competence. And in real estate, incompetence costs far more than dollars—it costs time, momentum, and opportunities you may never get back.

In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track, Ken and Yetta Dekker open up about one of the most common—and most costly—traps investors fall into: trusting the wrong guide.

The Illusion of Safety

Too many investors—especially first-time buyers—choose their guide based on style rather than substance. Statistics reveal that 67% of first-time investors rely on social media presence to choose who represents them, and almost half of those later discover the glossy image didn’t match the reality. Without evidence of a proven track record, you could be stepping into the unknown with someone who has no idea how to navigate it themselves.

Why Lived Experience Matters

Reading books and attending seminars can teach theory, but only ownership teaches the truth. Owning investment property—through both successes and setbacks—develops the insight to make better decisions, anticipate challenges, and avoid costly missteps. It’s the reason Ken and Yetta stress the importance of finding a guide who has bought, sold, and managed investment properties themselves. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, only 25–27% of agents own investment properties. That means you should eliminate three out of four potential candidates before you even start asking deeper questions.

Questions That Protect Your Investment

Before committing to any guide, ask:

  • How many investment properties have you personally bought and sold?

  • What does your current portfolio look like?

  • How do you analyze whether a property is a good fit for my goals?

  • What market cycles have you navigated, and how did you adapt?

  • Can you share a story of a time you made a mistake—and what you learned from it?

A guide who answers these questions with confidence—and specifics—has likely faced real challenges, learned from them, and emerged stronger.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Ken and Yetta have made their share of errors—buying in markets where they lacked local expertise, underestimating tenant impact on property systems, and trusting well-meaning people who simply didn’t have the necessary experience. Today, they use those lessons to guide clients away from the same pitfalls, ensuring each property aligns with investment goals, risk tolerance, and long-term strategy.

The Right Guide Changes Everything

The right investment guide doesn’t just walk you through a process; they interpret it through the lens of experience. They can tell you not only what should happen, but what might happen—and how to prepare for it. That lived perspective is what turns risk into reward.

Final Thought:
Your guide’s history becomes part of your investment future. Choose one with battle scars, proven wins, and the wisdom to navigate both calm waters and storms. The difference between thriving and barely surviving could be the person you choose to lead you there.

If you’d like to see the full conversation from this episode, watch Life’s Inside Track – YouTube – Dekker Team now and gain the clarity to invest with confidence.