Mentor or course?
Property mentor vs property course: which is worth it?
If you're thinking about a property course, you've probably seen prices running into thousands of pounds. You may also be wondering whether a mentor would be a better use of the money.
This page sets out how the two often differ, so you can decide what suits you. We offer mentoring, so we're not neutral, but we've tried to be fair: a course can be the right choice for some people.
What a property course usually gives you
Many courses teach set content to a group, through classroom days, online modules or webinars. That can be a good way to learn the basics and the language of property investing.
They often cover many strategies at once, and support often ends when the course does. Some charge £20,000 or more upfront, and some courses are used to sell a more expensive one.
What a property mentor gives you
A mentor works with you on your own situation. Instead of general case studies, you talk through the deals you're actually looking at and the decisions in front of you.
Good mentoring is ongoing, so you have someone to ask when questions come up, and it often comes with contacts: lenders, brokers, builders and others you'd otherwise have to find yourself.
Side by side
| Feature | Many property courses | A property mentor |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Set content for a group | Built around your own deals |
| How you pay | Often a large upfront fee | Usually monthly |
| Strategies | Often many strategies at once | Focus on what suits you |
| Support afterwards | Often ends with the course | Ongoing while you're mentored |
| Contacts | Often left to find your own | Often introductions to people the mentor uses |
| Certificate | Some offer one | Usually none – it's guidance, not a qualification |
These describe how many courses and mentors commonly work, not any particular provider.
Is a property course worth it?
It depends on what you need. A lot of the basics are available free or cheaply, through books, podcasts and online guides. The harder part for many people is applying it: finding a real deal, checking the numbers, getting finance in place and finding builders you can trust.
If you do choose a course, look closely at what happens after it ends. If you want help with the deals in front of you, a mentor may suit you better.
Questions to ask before you pay for a course or a mentor
- Who will actually teach or mentor you, and are they still investing now?
- What's the full cost, and is it upfront or monthly?
- Will they look at your real deals, or only general examples?
- What support do you get afterwards?
- Are they promising returns or timescales? Be wary if so.
- Is there an upsell to a more expensive programme?
- If they talk about finance, are they lenders or brokers, and are they authorised to give that advice?
Where mentoring with Louis fits
Mentoring with Louis costs £599 a month. You get monthly calls, support on WhatsApp on working days, help reviewing deals you find yourself, introductions to lenders and specialist brokers when needed, and guidance on insurance and finding builders. You can also come on a free tour day from our Cwm office and live project sites.
Louis has 17 years in property, has been buying since 2009 and has completed 900+ projects. He was never course-trained, and it's open to investors across the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Mentoring is guidance based on experience. It is not regulated financial, legal or tax advice.