A quick overview
Than Merrill runs one of the most talked about real estate training classes, but there are some question marks surrounding his program – some people are asking if his training is legitimate. So, we’ve done a deep dive into his courses to find out the truth about this real estate maverick and his systems.
Table of Contents
Real estate investing is a big, scary world to enter, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the market. So, most people look for a crash course or some kind of training to do, before they dip their toes into the pond of real estate. A quick online search will show you a whole lot of courses, one of which is Than Merrill’s real estate investing seminars and workshops.
Than Merrill’s real estate training is widely spoken about and if you’re in the real estate game already, you’ve probably heard about it. We’re going to take you through the ins and outs of his real estate training, explore more about who Than Merrill is, and put the rumors about whether this a legitimate training course to bed.
Who is Than Merrill and what is his background in real estate?
Nathaniel “Than” Merrill is an American businessman and former NFL football player. He was born in Fresno, CA and studied at Yale University, after which he began his NFL career. Once his football career came to end, his real estate career began and so he founded CT Homes.
He is now the co-founder of 3 real estate companies: CT Homes – a residential real estate development and investment company, FortuneBuilders Inc – a real estate education company, and Equity Street Capital – a long-term investing platform for commercial real estate investors looking for new opportunities.
Than Merrill also appeared on TV, on three seasons of “Flip This House” on A&E, which featured Than and his business partner Paul flipping homes in New Haven, CT and San Diego, CA. He has been involved in over $1 billion of real estate investments during his 15 years in the real estate investment and lending industry. His experience in real estate investment spans across marketing, appraisal, underwriting, negotiating, raising funds, sourcing properties, investor relations and business management.
In 2014, Than wrote a book entitled The Real Estate Wholesaling Bible, which became a bestseller on Amazon within its first week. He then went on to team up with Michael E. Gerber to write another bestseller called The E-Myth Real Estate Investor in 2015. Now, he is known widely for his educational courses on investing in real estate successfully.
Review of Than Merrill's real estate class
Than Merrill offers two options, either a 2-hour training class or a 3-day workshop. Here’s what to expect from each.
2-hour class
2-Hour Real Estate Training Class
Than Merrill’s 2-hour real estate training class is for beginner and intermediate real estate investors. In a nutshell, you’ll learn the basics of real estate investing, which systems Than used to create CT homes and how to run a small business. The introductory course is free and covers the following topics:
- How to start flipping houses successfully to make a profit
- Ways to find the best properties for generating income and producing a good cash flow
- Connecting with other real estate investors in your area for networking
- Learning the systems that were used on the “Flip This House” TV show
- How to invest in real estate successfully on a part-time basis
- How to purchase real estate at a discount through a self-directed retirement account to grow profits in a tax-free environment
3-day workshop
The real estate world is ever-changing, so this workshop aims to keep investors on the pulse of the current strategies being used in the market, as well as a variety of investing topics that are designed to help you learn more and reduce your risk while investing. The workshop costs in the region of $200 and covers these topics:
- Wholesaling real estate: Learn how to flip properties in your area, how to find good deals and how to price them so that they sell fast. Get introduced to Than Merrill’s wholesaling system where you can buy and sell properties.
- Than’s rehabbing system: Explore Than’s 7-step rehabbing process, and learn about which documents you’ll need to make your project a success.
- asset protection status: Discover how to reduce your risks when you invest in real estate, and how to protect yourself as an investor.
- REO/Pre-foreclosure: These sessions will go over how to pre-screen and choose REO and pre-foreclosure properties, and how to make a profit from them thereafter.
- Buy and hold real estate: Explore the world of some of the most successful real estate investors who bought properties, held onto them for a while and then sold them later on. Learn how to evaluate properties to see if they’re a good buy and hold deal.
- Tax strategy & IRA investment: Learn how to reap the tax rewards from selling real estate in a self-directed IRA and make the most from your investing.
Is Than Merrill's training legitimate or is it a scam?
Than Merrill’s training is not a scam and he has legitimate real estate companies that he has grown into successful ventures. Than Merrill himself is experienced in real estate investing and can offer some useful advice on how to make money from real estate, however nothing is guaranteed in terms of your success. The advice is potentially better suited to new investors because seasoned investors may know most of the content already.
How does the Than Merrill system work?
Than Merrill places a lot of importance on acquisition systems. His ethos revolves around the fact that a good process for acquiring property will save you time and determine the amount of income you’ll be earning as a real estate investor.
There are various systems shown on the “Flip This House” TV show and these are explored in the real estate classes so that everyone can learn from them. They are proven systems that show real estate investors how to buy, rehab and sell properties to generate the most profit.
What is the Than Merrill mastery program?
The mastery program through FortuneBuilders is an in-depth look into real estate investing, topic by topic. There is an application process, which begins online with a series of questions to determine your investing goals and coaching needs. These questions include your current financial information, as well as your real estate interests. FortuneBuilders are specific about who can enter the program, so there is a formal application and interview process that has to be followed. The cost isn’t available on the site unless you apply for the program and are serious about taking your real estate investing to the next level, however the course cost is in the region of $20,000-$40,000, depending on what you require.
There are 6 elements to the Mastery plan:
- Education: Through a mixture of online classes and live events, you’ll gain knowledge on real estate, business and finance.
- Coaching & support: There is a coaching team on hand to assist students at any point in their journey.
- Systems: The course aims to take you through all the systems and processes that are involved with investing in real estate, without having to make all the mistakes yourself first.
- Investment opportunities: The mastery program is also an investment club, with a team of real estate professionals who source, underwrite and do due diligence on commercial and residential investment opportunities.
- Community: The mastery community is made up of thousands of investors in the US and Canada and being a part of this program gives you access to this network.
- Live events: You can attend boot camps and educational events to learn from top investors.
Than Merrill Workshop vs Seminar - What's the difference?
The seminar and workshop are different in terms of both time, content and price, as mentioned above.
The seminar is a 2-hour class that looks at flipping houses, finding properties to earn income from, meeting and networking with people, learning the systems featured on Flip “This House” and learning how to invest in real estate on a part-time basis.
While the 3-day workshop offers education on real estate wholesaling, investing in REO and foreclosure properties, a system for house rehabbing, how to buy and hold real estate, information on protecting your assets, and a tax strategy. This workshop comes at a price, which is around $200.
FAQ
Yes, Than Merrill is the co-owner of FortuneBuilders Inc, alongside Paul Esajian, JD Esajian and Konrad Sophielnikow. Than formed the company with the goal of sharing his passion and experience in real estate investing with others. So, the company’s education is aimed at people who are starting their real estate investing career or would like to grow their real estate investment business.
Than Merrill states that he’s made a total of $1 billion in his real estate investing career. As of July 2020, his net worth was $100 million. According to Merrill, he’s made $300 million in the past 3 years alone. Real estate remains the main reason for his huge net worth.
No, FortuneBuilders is a real estate investment training platform, which provides insightful information in their Mastery program. However, the Mastery program will require attending the 2-hour seminar, then the 3-day workshop and finally the Mastery program. While the seminar seems to be free, the workshop is a few hundred dollars, and the Mastery program will set you back hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the type of coaching you choose.
Final thoughts on Than Merrill
While the platform and its courses are legitimate and run by experienced real estate professionals, the hard work is still up to you. You can educate yourself on any of these courses, on a host of investing topics, however success still lies within your hands alone. It’s important to remember that as you begin, or continue on, your real estate investing journey.