Jim Banks Ratings and Consumer Reviews

Background

Jim Banks is an Indiana University graduate who initially received teaching credentials in secondary education. Then after attending graduate school at the University of Southern California, he decided to pursue a career in software. After leaving his full-time job and enrolling in law school, he decided to pursue a career in real estate.

His first real estate transaction led him to pursue property investment as a potential career. Banks specializes in the researching and purchasing of probate real estate, and after developing his own methods of investing in probate real estate, he decided to create an educational seminar. And in 2005 he authored the book “Creating Wealth through Probate:  The Best-Kept Secret in Real Investing.”

Target Market

Jim Banks has created a niche market in probate real estate so individuals looking for investments in this market are the perfect candidates for his seminars. Although individuals don’t need to have specific qualifications to be involved in this type of real estate investment, Banks admits that the more knowledge you have about probate properties the more successful you can be. And expecting great returns with little effort is not a part of the agenda. He suggests that if his students are willing to work hard, their “efforts will be proportionate to their profit.”

Although his seminar focuses on probate investing, Banks doesn’t limit the opportunities to certain type of properties within the probate market. He gives advice on commercial buildings, residential properties, and even automobiles …all personal property that is considered probate. According to the description of his seminar, Banks offers classes specific to probate investing and personal coaching to students who sign up for his courses.

Ratings and Reviews

The majority of reviews of his seminar and courses indicate that Banks is considered one of the most renowned coaches in real estate probate … and that there is a lot to learn in this specialized branch of real estate investing. Reviewers also stated that the courses were useful in some respects, but thought that the home-study courses were far more thorough and informational than the live classes. However, they still don’t feel that the courses are descriptive enough—particularly at a cost of $6,000.

One reviewer pointed out that Banks offers probate theories and laws that best apply to properties in California, and that investors in other states may have a more difficult time determining how to apply the tips he provides to their state’s laws.