Best REIAs (Real Estate Investor Association) for Investors: Ultimate Guide

If you invest in real estate—or you’re thinking about getting started—joining a real estate investor association (REIA) can give you a major edge. These groups connect you with other investors, offer access to exclusive deals, and provide education you won’t find in a typical real estate course.

In this guide, we’ll break down what REIAs are, why they matter, how to choose the right one, and which national and local groups stand out for today’s investors.

What Is a Real Estate Investor Association (REIA)?

A real estate investor association is a member-based organization that brings together people involved in real estate investing. These groups offer networking opportunities, education, market insights, and access to local resources that individual investors can’t easily find on their own.

Most REIAs operate as local or regional groups, with members ranging from first-time landlords to seasoned investors with large portfolios. Meetings typically include guest speakers, market updates, deal presentations, and vendor introductions. Some REIAs are affiliated with national networks like the National REIA, while others operate independently or through online communities.

Unlike online forums or social media groups, REIAs provide real-world connection points—often face-to-face—where investors can ask tough questions, share experiences, and build relationships with other landlords, contractors, lenders, and property managers.

Whether you’re looking to grow your portfolio, meet potential partners, or just stay on top of market trends, joining a REIA can provide the kind of insider knowledge that helps you make better investment decisions.

Why Join a Real Estate Investor Association?

Joining a real estate investor association does more than get you in a room with other investors — it connects you to people, tools, and opportunities that can directly impact your bottom line. 

Networking That Actually Matters

REIAs put you face-to-face with other real estate investors, property managers, wholesalers, lenders, attorneys, and contractors. These are the people you’ll rely on to find deals, solve problems, and build a reliable team. Unlike online forums, local REIAs let you form relationships that lead to real opportunities.

Investor-Focused Education

Most REIAs host regular meetings featuring expert speakers, local market updates, and workshops on topics like creative financing, rental property management, short-term rentals, and tax strategy. The content is often more actionable than what you’ll find in paid seminars or courses.

Access to Off-Market Deals and Discounts

Some REIAs give members early access to property listings, pocket deals, or foreclosure leads. Others offer group discounts on services such as tenant screening, property inspections, legal advice, or software subscriptions. These perks can save thousands and speed up your next acquisition.

Community Support and Credibility

Being part of a REIA helps legitimize you in the eyes of other professionals and property owners. Many REIA members lean on each other for referrals, second opinions, or accountability. That kind of community can make the difference between surviving and growing in this business.

How to Choose the Right Real Estate Investor Association

Not every real estate investor association will be the right fit for your goals or investing style. Some focus heavily on networking, while others offer in-depth education or specialize in a certain property type. Before joining, take time to evaluate what you’re getting and who you’ll be joining.

Look for Local Relevance

A good REIA should help you stay plugged into your target market. That means local speakers, local trends, and members who are active in the same neighborhoods you're investing in. National insight is helpful, but real estate is hyperlocal—your REIA should reflect that.

Check the Meeting Format and Frequency

Some groups meet monthly, others weekly or quarterly. Some host large in-person events, while others operate virtually. Choose a REIA with a format that fits your schedule and a structure that adds real value, not just sales pitches or social mixers.

Assess the Member Base

Try to get a sense of who attends. Are members mostly beginners, seasoned investors, or a healthy mix? If you're just getting started, a group with experienced investors can be a valuable learning environment. If you're scaling, a group full of new flippers might not offer much depth.

Evaluate Education and Guest Speakers

Ask about the speakers and topics covered in recent meetings. Look for REIAs that offer content beyond the basics such as creative financing, asset protection, 1031 exchanges, and rental property systems should be on the agenda if you're aiming to grow your portfolio.

Consider the Cost vs. Value

Membership fees vary widely, from free meetup groups to paid associations charging hundreds annually. Cost alone isn’t a dealbreaker, but compare the price to what you're getting: Are there member-only events, tools, or discounts? Is there ongoing support between meetings?

Try Before You Commit

Most REIAs allow visitors to attend one or two meetings before signing up. Use that time to see if the group is organized, engaging, and worth your time. Don’t be afraid to visit multiple REIAs before committing to the one that fits best.

Best National Real Estate Investor Associations

If you're looking for broad support, ongoing education, and access to a larger network of investors, a national real estate investor association can deliver serious value. These groups offer online resources, member perks, and in some cases, access to local chapters across the country.

National REIA

The National Real Estate Investors Association is one of the most established REIA networks in the U.S. It supports over 40 local chapters and thousands of members nationwide. Members get access to real estate education, advocacy efforts, and exclusive discounts on services like Home Depot, RentPerfect, and Office Depot.

Think Realty

Think Realty offers a blend of media, events, and education for investors at all levels. They host national expos, publish a real estate investing magazine, and provide members with discounts on software, marketing tools, and lending resources. It's a solid option if you're looking for a mix of online and in-person value.

BiggerPockets Forums & Events

While not a REIA in the formal sense, BiggerPockets functions like one for many investors. Its forums, podcasts, local meetups, and webinars are widely used by landlords, flippers, and rental property owners. The paid Pro membership includes tools for deal analysis, property calculators, and exclusive content.

Top Local Real Estate Investor Associations by Region

While national groups offer broad resources, local real estate investor associations are where most of the hands-on learning and deal-making happens. These regional REIAs focus on market-specific trends, regulations, and networking. They’re often where the best off-market deals are found. Below are some standout REIAs by region.

West

• Los Angeles Real Estate Investors Club (LAREIC): One of the largest in the country, LAREIC hosts monthly meetings, workshops, and seminars tailored to Southern California’s fast-moving market.
• San Diego Creative Investors Association (SDCIA): Known for its strong focus on education and ethical investing, SDCIA attracts both new and seasoned investors.
• Arizona Real Estate Investors Association (AZREIA): A highly active group with multiple chapters across Arizona, offering education, networking, and legislative advocacy.

Midwest

• Chicago Area REIA (Chicagoland REIA):  Offers a packed calendar of events, investor bootcamps, and access to off-market deals across the Chicago metro.
• Ohio Real Estate Investors Association (OREIA): A statewide group that provides advocacy, education, and connections to local REIAs throughout Ohio.
• Metro Detroit Real Estate Investors Association (MDREIA): Focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities in the Detroit area, with monthly meetings and online tools.

South

• Alamo REIA (San Antonio, TX): Offers live meetings, investor education, and mentorship programs. Strong community focus.
• Houston Real Estate Investment Association (Houston REIA): One of the largest REIAs in the South, known for high-quality speakers and deep industry connections.
• Atlanta REIA: Offers both in-person and virtual events, with a wide mix of members including landlords, wholesalers, and short-term rental operators.

Northeast

• New York City REIA:  Smaller and more fragmented than in other cities, but worth exploring for access to NYC-specific investing insights and partnerships.
• Boston Real Estate Investors Association (Boston REIA): Serves investors in Massachusetts with a focus on buy-and-hold strategies, multi-family investing, and property management.

Virtual REIAs and Online Real Estate Investor Communities

Not every investor lives near a well-run REIA and, even if you do, adding a virtual group to the mix can give you access to nationwide connections, niche advice, and on-demand content. Virtual real estate investor associations and online communities have grown fast in recent years, making it easier to connect and learn from anywhere.

Zoom-Based REIA Meetings

Many local REIAs now offer hybrid or fully virtual meetings through platforms like Zoom. These formats are ideal if you want to attend more meetings without the drive time or if you're investing in markets outside your hometown. Some national REIAs also host monthly virtual meetups open to members across the country.

Online REIA Memberships

Groups such as Think Realty and Connected Investors offer full REIA membership experiences online. That includes webinars, networking portals, digital tools, and vendor discounts—all without having to attend in person. These are useful if you prefer a structured learning environment but need flexibility.

Real Estate Forums and Social Communities

Beyond formal REIAs, investor-focused communities thrive on platforms such as:

• BiggerPockets: Active forums, podcasts, webinars, and market-specific discussions.
• Facebook Groups: Local and niche investor groups often post leads, share tips, and host casual events.
• LinkedIn Groups: A bit more formal, but good for connecting with brokers, property managers, and commercial investors.

These communities don’t replace the local insight and relationships you’ll get from a nearby REIA, but they’re a powerful way to supplement your network, especially for remote investors or those just starting out.

How Real Estate Investor Associations Can Help Landlords and Property Owners

If you own rental property—or plan to—joining a real estate investor association gives you more than networking and education. REIAs are packed with resources that directly support landlords and property owners managing active investments.

Find Reliable Property Managers

Many REIAs maintain relationships with local property managers who attend meetings, give presentations, or come recommended by members. If you need help managing day-to-day operations, your REIA can point you to professionals who work well with investor portfolios.

Get Trusted Contractor and Vendor Referrals

When you need a plumber, electrician, or HVAC tech, REIA members are often quick to share who they trust (and who to avoid). These groups function as informal vetting tools, helping you hire faster and with more confidence, especially when working in unfamiliar markets.

Learn Landlord Best Practices

REIAs regularly host workshops and guest speakers who cover topics like tenant screening, lease structuring, eviction law, security deposit handling, and rent collection systems. These sessions help landlords stay compliant and improve operational efficiency.

Benchmark Local Maintenance Costs

By connecting with other property owners in your market, you can compare notes on repair costs, renovation pricing, and what’s typical for tenant turnover. This helps you budget more accurately and avoid getting overcharged by contractors.

Reduce Risk Through Shared Knowledge

Most REIA members are happy to share lessons learned. Being part of a group means you don’t have to navigate things like lease violations, late rent, or city code issues on your own.

Free Tools to Find a Real Estate Investor Association Near You

You don’t need to dig too far to find a real estate investor association near you, but not all groups are easy to track down through a quick Google search. These tools and platforms can help you locate the most active and reputable REIAs in your area.

National REIA Directory

The National REIA website offers a chapter directory that lists affiliated groups across the U.S. You can search by state to find REIAs that are part of their network and benefit from national partnerships and discounts.

Meetup.com

Many smaller or independent REIAs host their events through Meetup.com. Search by city using terms like “real estate investor group” or “landlord networking.” Pay attention to how often groups meet and how many active members they have.

Facebook Groups

Search for local REIAs or investor groups using keywords like “[Your City] real estate investor” or “[Your State] REIA.” Some of the most active communities live on Facebook, and you can often preview discussions before joining.

Eventbrite

Investors and REIA organizers often use Eventbrite to promote educational events, networking nights, and property tours. It’s a good way to find one-off events if you want to dip your toe in before committing to a membership.

Ask Local Investors

If you’re already connected to other landlords, agents, or contractors, ask what groups they’re a part of. Word-of-mouth recommendations often lead you to the most valuable associations, especially the ones that aren’t heavily promoted online.

Bonus: Use Our Free Property Manager Search Tool

If you’re looking for a property manager who’s plugged into your local REIA, use our free search tool to compare vetted professionals who know your market and understand investor needs.