What is the best path to get started in Real Estate?

[Chris Lynch]

We all know taking action is the most important part of any investment/business venture.

However taking the first step is often the hardest when you do not know what road to travel down. After reviewing the basics to RE investing on this site I really enjoyed the outline of career ideas that allow you to earn while you learn.

Right now I am employed as a relationship manager ( Call center) at a bank. It pays fairly well but I can not wait to get out and start doing something that will push me closer to my goals. On top of that the job is repetitive.

Goal- Learn real estate. Acquire property's that cash-flow a substantial amount of money, giving me the freedom to live a lifestyle free of employment.

I do not feel confident in my knowledge/experience/connections to jump in right now. I also lack the capital to make mistakes during the learning curve. I know many here have experience and an abundance of advice to share.

Question- What is the best way to get started. EARNING AND LEARNING. Do I become a Realtor? Property manager? Mortgage broker? Also Which path did you take and why or why not has it been the right or wrong choice?

The ideal situation would to hook up with an investor as an assistant. But opportunity like that are probably few and far between.

ANY FEEDBACK IS GREATLY APPRECIATED

[Mark Ferguson]

I have been an agent since 2001 and love it. There are so many ways to make money as an agent, you just have to find one or two that fit you. If you want to be a serious investor it is a huge advantage to be an agent as well. I have 10 long term rentals and 8 fix and flips right now and I would not have gotten half of those if I was not an agent.

I would read Gary Kellers books and learn all you can about real estate. Talk to some local agents and see what they think about real estate and your local market. Remember about 10% of agents do 90% of the business and most agents don't work that hard. I think the stats show 22% of agents don't even work 10 hours a week towards real estate. If you work hard, plan and do the things that get you deals you can be in the 10%. Don't let people tell you there is no money being a real estate agent.