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Updated about 9 years ago on . Most recent reply
Some questions re: real estate
Hello, I am new to BP and actually real estate in general. I posted my introduction awhile ago and I have come up with several questions regarding real estate and my current situation.
I would like to become a licensed real estate agent. However, I've read many places in order to be successful you need to devote your time 100% to real estate and many people have suggested having up to a years worth of living in savings since it is a 100% commission based job. Unfortunately, I do not have much in savings and am currently working full time living paycheck to paycheck. I'm curious if it is possible to be a real estate agent part time. My current work schedule is Sun , Mon, Thurs, Friday 2-12pm. I would be able to focus on real estate in the mornings and on my days off. Is this something that could work until I was able to create some savings until I become successful in real estate?
My second question is, I am interested in purchasing my first home and would like to do so within the next five years. (I am currently 30). I would like to house hack a 3 family and live in one unit while renting the other two. As I've said I don't have much of a savings (which I'm working on improving) but I do contribute weekly to a 401k. Does it make sense to take out a loan against my 401k to purchase my first home?
Also my credit score is not the best so I am working on raising that before even considering getting a mortgage. My credit is bad from neglecting payments when I was younger on things such as cell phone bills and cable. I've never owned a credit card and make sure I'm not late on any payments now (I have a student loan). What else should I be doing to improve my credit score?
Any and all advice, questions, comments, suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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@Kevin D., I've read that it might help your credit score by GETTING a Credit Card and using it regularly - but make sure you then ALWAYS clear the debt each month.
If you can fit in doing your License course out of work hours, that might be the way to go. It certainly doesn't mean that you have to jump in full time thereafter!
There are a multitude people who do RE part-time successfully. Their common theme is: perseverance; motivation; consistency (and other like-words).
Yeah; keep your job for now. Set monthly goals. All the very best. Cheers...