Booming real estate market has attracted many new investors who were traditionally investing in stocks. However, just like all other investments, a decision to invest in real estate should only be based on professional advice and careful analysis -not simply on peer-advice that most real estate investment clubs traditionally offer.

If you are considering to invest in real estate, joining one of those real estate investment clubs in your local area may not be a bad idea. Just in case you are wondering how to tell apart a good real estate investment club from an average or a mediocre one, here are some of the things that you may want to look for in a real estate investment club:

• Is it an Established Club? Most established real estate investment clubs have a membership that is not only stable, but also experienced enough to offer informed/valuable advice to new members.
  
• Vibrant, Positive Club Environment: It is generally a good idea to attend a couple of meetings, and to get a first-hand experience of how those meetings are being run. Is the atmosphere in sync with your style, and your expectations?
  
• Membership Dues: Are the membership dues within the range of what you are willing to spend? Is it merely a meet and greet club, or a club that has many experienced members willing to help persons with skillset/experience similar to yours?

Now before you dust off your checkbook to invest in that hot real estate investment property that was spotlighted during the most recent meeting of your real estate investment club, you may want to ponder over the following facts:

• Not All Real Estate Investment Cubs Are Created Equal: Even though currently there are nearly two hundred real estate investment clubs that are affiliated with the National Real Estate Investors Association (NREIA) -which, by the way, is a trade group -there are many more that are not affiliated with any trade groups or real estate associations.
  
• Membership Count Often Means Little, If Anything at ALL: With the recent boom in real estate market, there is a flood of new investors seeking new fortunes in real estate. Historically, membership growth in Real Estate Investment Clubs is often cyclic in nature -just like the way membership count periodically swings back and forth in those Stock Market Investor's Clubs.
  
• Many New Investors Are Simply Testing Waters, Aiming For A Quick Buck: You may find that a majority of the new membership in your local area real estate investment club may be made up of those who have never invested in real estate before. You may want to keep this in mind when it comes to deciding which club you may want to join.
  
• Most Real Estate Clubs Have Something to Peddle: Many real estate clubs are for-profit entities, or organized/sponsored by real estate professionals who are in it for profit -self-serving, plain and simple.

This is not to suggest that there are no benefits to joining a real estate investment club. Membership to a well-established real estate investment club that has many experienced and helpful real estate professionals in its membership could be quite helpful. Considering not all real estate investment clubs are created equal, however, keeping the above facts in mind and appropriately tempering any real estate investment advice that you may get from your local area real estate investment clubs would only serve you well.