John Beck: Consumer Coaching Ratings

Background

John Beck is an attorney in California with a law practice that emphasizes real estate issues—particularly foreclosures. In addition to his law practice, Beck is the author or co-author of various books and articles on real estate investing. His first workbook was titled, “The Forced Sale.” “Take This House, Please! The Complete Guide to Buying Real Estate Owned by Lenders” Volumes 1 and 2, which he co-authored with Ron Starr, are guides specifically devoted to buying repossessed property.

Beck’s legal experience in real estate led him to provide services as a real estate broker, a syndicated writer, and a real estate consultant. His real estate investment activity includes investing in tax lien certificates in various states from Arizona to West Virginia.   John Beck also holds an MBA in taxation and real estate and has conducted collegiate-level courses on real estate.

Target Market

Forced sales and lender-repossessed properties are the key areas that Beck focuses on in his guides. Those with an interest in these particular areas of real estate will benefit the most from his courses, books, and articles. For example, his book, “Buy Real Estate Free and Clear for Pennies on the Dollar,” presents ways you can utilize tax sale proceeds to buy various types of real estate for next to nothing.

Ratings

There were a number of negative reviews regarding Beck’s materials and his company’s policies. The view was that the guides and books are written in a complex, almost legal manner. And although this clearly reflects Beck’s legal background, the materials are not generally used by those in the legal field. The books provide some basic guidelines on ways to use his forced sale techniques, but there aren’t enough details about how to implement the guidelines.

Some consumers indicated that they tried Beck’s materials because the cost was relatively low. However, other consumers reported that the initial materials essentially seemed to be ways Beck’s company was up-selling his courses—which, at $8,000, is one of the higher priced courses in real estate investing. Most consumers who purchased materials found the book wasn’t as helpful as promised and were repeatedly contacted by “coaches” offering Beck’s seminar series.