Best real estate related day jobs for an aspiring investor?

[Carolyn Labutta]

I'm interested in the idea of working in a real-estate related job while saving toward buying more investment properties. It seems this would provide invaluable on-the-job learning and networking while maintaining a much needed income stream. Some examples that were recommended in a BP article were: real estate agent, property manager, escrow officer, title company employee or admin for an REI group. Obviously some of these have more barrier to entry than others, but has anyone done this? Would you recommend it as a strategy to have your energy more focused and reach your goals sooner?

[Russell Brazil]

Each of those has their pluses and minuses. My "day job" is as a real estate agent. I think being an agent makes me a better investor, and conversely being an investor makes me a better agent. I feel as an agent I have my finger on the pulse of the market in a much better way than someone who is only investing. Also being an agent gives me a great income stream in which I can then funnel into the investing side of my business.