What are some ways to get exposure to RE before having a license?

Question

Hi everyone,

I have been interested in real estate for a while now and after listening to the BP podcasts and reading the forums, I have decided to work towards getting my real estate license and I am currently taking the necessary courses to prepare me for the licensing exam. I have no experience in the field of real estate and my current full time job has nothing to do with real estate (I work in the biotech sector). I was wondering if there is anything I can do as I work to get my license, that will help me get any sort of exposure to real estate? Are there any part-time (paid or unpaid) jobs with real estate brokers that don't require a license that I can do that will help me get acquainted with the field of real estate? Anything so that when I do eventually get my license, I at least have some real world experience with what happens in real estate. That being said, I am super excited to be part of the BP community and look forward meeting a lot of people through this platform.

Thank you all very much,

-Moe Nasser

Jake Wiley · Answer

@Mohammed Nasser -

First question, do you want to be an agent?   Is that your goal, or are you looking to become an investor?

If you are looking to get into sales/brokerage, there are administrative roles that do not require a license.

I am not sure where you are in the country, but you could likely take the necessary test prep, take your exam and hang your shingle with a broker in a month to 45 days.     The point I am attempting to make is that if your goal is to work in sales, you would likely be best served to knuckle down and get the license taken care of rather than spending time trying to find a role that isn't what you are actually looking for.

The most important aspect, in either scenario, is finding a broker that you'd like to work under that will provide you great support, mentorship etc.    When you find the right broker, they will likely let you tag along, or work in the office along the way too.

Good luck.

Mohammed Nasser · Answer

Hi Mr. Wiley,

Thank you so much for your reply! I would like to become a real estate investor, not an agent. Being so new to this, I guess I was under the impression that the best way to become an investor is through becoming an agent and once familiar with the field, transition more into real estate investing. I see now that becoming an agent is not a necessary step to becoming an investor. I really like your suggestion of finding a broker that may be willing to be a real world mentor to me and provide me with the necessary support as I learn how to become an investor.

P.S. My apologies about not mentioning where I am located in the country! I live in San Jose, California.

Thank you again for your reply!

-Moe Nasser

Brad Jacobson · Answer

@Mohammed Nasser, great question!  I get asked this pretty frequently and my typical response is along these lines.

If you're looking for work (which I highly recommend if you plan to do RE for the rest of your life) you should consider getting a full or part time gig at a property management, title company, real estate brokerage (as an assistant or admin), mortgage broker, and/ or work part time for a local investor either finding deals or doing cold calls.  You need to start rubbing shoulders with investors and people doing real estate every day so you can learn and master the process.

Once you get your license, try to do your first 3-5 deals while still employed as a W2 but once you've got your footing, quit W2 and go crush the income game as an agent!

Good luck!

Mohammed Nasser · Answer

@Chad Hale

Hi Mr. Hale,

Thanks so much for your input. I agree, even from what I have studied so far in the courses that prep for the RE license, I haven't really learned anything that I feel would help me with investing. The general consensus on this post is that since I am interested in becoming an investor, I should shift focus to learning how to analyze deals and from your post, learn how to assemble a strong team. Thank you again for your input, it was very helpful!

Mohammed Nasser · Answer

@Drew Sygit

Hi Mr. Sygit,

It seems like that is the general recommendations I am getting from this post. I will change the focus of my efforts from getting a real estate license to networking and finding other investors in my area that I can connect with and hopefully be able to learn from. Along with using the resources on BP and other platforms/investors I connect with to learn how to analyze deals and be able to identify a proper investment. Thanks so much for your comment!

Chad Hale · Answer

@Mohammed Nasser  Since you primarily want to become an investor, I'd suggest focusing energy and effort in that area.  Most of the information needed to get a real estate license won't directly help you on the investor side.

Get your monies/credit in order.  Start analyzing deals.  Find a good investor agent to help find / secure deals.  Decide if you are going to self-manage.  Find a good mortgage broker.  In short build the expert team around you to purchase real estate investments.  Rinse and repeat.

Drew Sygit · Answer

@Mohammed Nasser

Why aren't you just connecting with other real estate investors?

If you search, there are many online communities for RE investors and probably a local one near you that's in-person.

From experience, focusing on networking will be much more advantageous than getting a license.

Jake Wiley · Answer

Good to know.   In that case - choose wisely who you work with.    Not all agents are great investors or understand the mindset of an investor, even if they are great agents.

Mohammed Nasser · Answer

@Brad Jacobson

Hi Mr. Jacobson,

I agree! It seems like a lot of the replies on this post mention working alongside either a agent or investor in order to learn the process. Again, I am extremely new to this field and so I think the first step for me right now is to learn all the basics through the various resources on the BP website and also possibly find a mentor that is actively investing and willing to teach me the process they go through when investing.

Thanks again!

Mohammed Nasser · Answer

@Eliott Elias

Hi Mr. Elias,

Thank you for your reply! My goal with RE is to be a successful RE investor rather than agent. That being said, I think I can learn a lot from shadowing some agents and finding myself some real life mentors that can help me learn the basics and everything thereafter.

Thanks again!

What are some ways to get exposure to RE before having a license?

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