Part-time real estate agent

[John Schweitzer]

Hi,

Does it make sense to try being a part time real estate agent in order to learn about real estate investing? I have a full time non-real estate job that I intend to keep for quite a while. I've been planning on becoming a part time real estate agent to learn about investing. I don't intend to be a full time real estate agent, or even expect to sell many houses. I would love to hear from others who have tried this. Did you find it useful to be a part time real estate agent before you began investing? Or was it a poor use of time and energy? Would it be better to spend time going to RE investing clubs and meeting other investors? I heard David Greene say that being a part time agent was not a good idea, so I wanted to see what you all think.

Thanks,

John

[Logan McKay Zylstra]

John, I can tell you firsthand that becoming an agent does not in any way help you learn about investing. If you are simply wanting to get your license to learn to invest, I would put that time and energy into self-education or a paid course.

It is nice to be able to put your commission into the deal, but if that is the only time you are using your license I wouldn't recommend it.