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Questions & Answers
WHEN DOES THE GROUP MEET?
CFRI General Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of every month at the Plaza Theatre, 425 N. Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Doors open at 5:15 for networking, refreshments, and visiting with vendors. The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. and typically ends at 9:00 p.m. This is the “big” monthly meeting, serving all of Central Florida, and is typically attended by 250 - 300 people.
WHAT ARE COUNTY CHAPTER MEETINGS?
CFRI County Chapters address the needs of investors in specific areas, covering a broad range of real estate investing topics. CFRI currently has six subgroups in the counties of: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia. See Events Calendar for more info.
WHAT ARE FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS?
CFRI Focus Groups are small networking groups that focus on a particular aspect of real estate investing, such as: Commercial, Real Estate Investment Techniques and Business & Tax Strategies. CFRI currently has 8 different focus groups that meet at least once a month. Open to members only who pre-register on-line for each monthly meeting at least one day in advance.
IS THERE A FEE TO ATTEND AS A GUEST?
All guests must pay $20 per person at the door of the General Meeting and County Subgroup Meetings to cover expenses at the facility for the meeting they attend. The $20 fee will be credited to your membership fee, if you join within two days of attending and provide proof of payment. Focus Groups are not open to guests. Seminars are open to all guests at non-member rates.
WHAT ARE THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES?
General Membership: $150.00, up to two additional family members that reside at the same location can be added for $50 each. Students with a valid student ID can become a General Member for only $50. Business Membership: $325 for two associates, up to two additional associates can be added for $50 each; there is a maximum of four associates per business membership.
SHOULD I JOIN AS A GENERAL MEMBER OR A BUSINESS MEMBER?
If you are interested in promoting your goods or services to our 1400 members, you should join as a business member. If you are more interested in networking and learning about real estate investing, you should join as a general member.
HOW CAN I OBTAIN AN APPLICATION TO JOIN?
We offer several options for those interested in joining CFRI:
1. Pick up an application at any of our meetings/events
2. Click Here to Download an Application You can Fax or Mail
3. Click Here to Join On-line Now!
WHY IS THERE AN APPLICATION PROCESS?
CFRI is a membership-based organization, which is governed by a Board of Directors. Although your application is received with proper payment, it still must be reviewed and approved by the Board. CFRI will promptly return the membership fee, in the rare case that an application is rejected. Note that business members are required to attend New Business Member Orientation and provide CFRI with acceptable licensing information before the Board can approve their membership.
CAN A MEMBERSHIP BE REVOKED?
The Board of Directors reserves the right to terminate any membership, if the Board becomes aware or determines the actions or activities of the person or company are unethical or may have an adverse impact on the association or its members. It is not the policy of CFRI to refund membership fees that have been revoked, in this instance.
WILL I GET JUNK MAIL FROM CFRI?
We send out a monthly newsletter to all of our members with events and articles of interest. We also send out email notices of events and important announcements. CFRI does not release members or guests contact information to others without permission.
HOW DO I KNOW IF A MEETING IS CANCELED?
Meeting/Event cancellations will be posted on-line in the Event Calendar as soon as the office learns about the cancellation. Focus group leaders may also notify members directly.
WHAT IS THE ATTIRE FOR THE MEETINGS/EVENTS?
All of our meetings/events are “come as you are,” but we encourage casual business attire.
DOES CFRI ENDORSE ANY SPEAKERS?
CFRI does not endorse any speaker. We only invite speakers that, to our knowledge, have a good reputation in the industry. We do investigate potential speakers before allowing them to speak to our membership. If a speaker is known to be potentially problematic, we will not utilize him/her.
WHAT IF I BUY SOMETHING AND THE SPEAKER FAILS TO DELIVER WHAT WAS PROMISED?
Although this has hardly ever been an issue, one of the functions of the association is to follow up on any complaints about speakers, should they come up, within a reasonable time-frame in the service or product was purchased through CFRI.
WILL CFRI HELP ME BUY OR SELL MY HOME?
CFRI is only an educational and networking forum. As an organization, we do not get involved in that type of activity. We are not a realtors’ office. Many of our members are Realtors and can help you in that regards. General Members are allowed to promote homes they have for sale on our website, and at our meetings.
If you choose to partner or do a deal with any member of CFRI, as a result of your networking, we advise you to complete your due-diligence in evaluating the transaction and obtain the professional assistance you feel you may need to help you in the process.
WILL CFRI TELL ME IF THIS IS A GOOD DEAL OR NOT?
As with most things, we do have a disclaimer. CFRI does not exist to render and does not give legal, tax, economic, or investment advice and disclaims all liability for the actions or inactions, taken or not taken, as a result of communications from or to it’s members, officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and contractors. Each individual should consult his/her own counsel, accountant, and/or other advisor's as to these matters.
HOW DO I KNOW THIS GROUP IS LEGITIMATE?
CFRI was established in 1988 – we are the oldest and largest real estate investing association in Central Florida. CFRI is a member in good standing of the National Association of Real Estate Investors and was awarded their Honoring Excellence Award in 2007 – the highest honor bestowed on any real estate investing association. Visit their website at www.NationalReia.com.
WHAT IS NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION?
New Member Orientation is designed to give new members a better understanding of our organization and how to make the most of their membership. Every general member is encouraged to attend this meeting once. Business members are required to attend. See the Events Calendar for additional details.
MUST I ATTEND NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION?
General Members are not required to attend Orientation; however, there is much useful information provided on how to make the most use of your membership. Members who attend will receive an Orientation Packet. At least one associate from each business membership must attend Orientation before the Board can approve their application.
I AM NEW TO THE ASSOCIATION AND REAL ESTATE INVESTING.
WILL I BE ASSIGNED A MENTOR?
That is not the function of CFRI. We are an educational and networking not-for-profit association. CFRI does not endorse or recommend any specific mentors and business members are not allowed to join specifically to promote mentoring. CFRI recommends that members looking for mentors should network with other investors at subgroup meetings and focus group meetings to find recommendations. Members are advised to check references and obtain a signed contract that clearly outlines the terms, responsibilities, and expectations of all parties involved.
HOW CAN I RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP FOR FREE?
Earn CFRI Bucks and your next renewal membership could be free! Members will be issued $20 on-line in CFRI Bucks for every new membership they refer to CFRI. The new member must list the referring CFRI member on their Membership Application at the time they join (no exceptions). REFER ONLY 5 NEW MEMBERSHIPS IN A YEAR AND YOUR RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP COULD BE FREE! CFRI Bucks can also be earned by volunteering for CFRI! Become a member, login to the Members Area and view all the benefits volunteers receive. All CFRI Bucks earned from referring members and volunteering are combined in your on-line credit account for use with program and membership registration fees.
These are just a few questions that have come up regularly. Feel free to come to any of the meetings/events and ask any staff, volunteer, or board member for assistance. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting/event.
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