Looking for guidance for a real estate newbie

[John Douglass]

I just got my Florida real estate license not too long ago but I’m not sure where to start. I’m 19 years old, based out of the Tampa, Florida which currently has a very crazy market due to inflation and numerous other variables. I’ve been talking with different brokerages to join as an agent but I’m also interested in becoming an investor with owning my own rental properties. I’m not all that sure where or how to start. If anyone could give me some tips or just general guidance on what you suggest someone starts out with in real estate I would greatly appreciate it.

[Jonathan Greene]

Too many new agents who want to be investors make this mistake. You are trying to pull your future goals into now when you can safely build toward them. A brokerage is not going to serve you well if you go in at 19 thinking you just got your license to be an investor. Get trained on how to do the business, find a team in Tampa at a good brokerage (there are several) and learn everything about the business. At the same time, start going to local REI events (there are a lot in Tampa) and meet and connect and learn before asking anything of local investors. See where you can add value and know that just having a license adds no value to other investors, they know 100 agents, they need something else from you.