Becoming a Realtor

[Kenneth Huddleston]

Hey. I am 16 years old, almost 17, and i have been interested in real estate investing for quite a while now. Because such investments are pretty tricky as a minor i have been looking to become a realtor once i graduate high school. I already know about what is involved in getting the license so i was just looking for advise on the occupation itself.

Question 1) How long does it take to get profitable? I hear the generic numbers that say 1 year but i wanted to hear from people who have done it. For instance, if i do this i would plan to hit the ground running and would be working full time at it, would constantly be networking for customers at auctions, seminars, and so forth, and i would be looking to learn as much as i can in as little time as possible. That in mind, would it still take a year?

Question 2) What is the market like right now for realtors?

Question 3) After i have been established, what kind of income could i reasonably expect from the career? I ask because, as i said, this would be my gateway to real estate investing and a higher income would aid in my investments. I hear that the real aces of a brokerage can make upwards of 200k per year, but what would be logical to assume after getting myself initially established?

[Robert Leonard]

@Kenneth Huddleston 

I recommend you pick up "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent" and "The Millionaire Real Estate Investor" both by Gary Keller to help yourself understand how these professions work.  As an REA, you are in business for yourself, with your broker.  You aren't an employee and your expectations of annual income has a direct correlation to your own ability and willingness to work.  Unless you take a desk job or have the rare arrangement of being an employee agent, you are not an employee, you are an independent contractor as a licensed agent.

Some of your questions are market specific and some are a matter of self-determination.  If you read those books, you'll understand what I mean by that.