RE Investing Jobs That Give Experience

[Taylor Trepinski]

I've got under a year before I'm looking at devoting a large amount of time to real estate investing. While I've been in the learning stages of RE Investing, reading, researching, etc... I've realized it would be wise to work for someone for the benefit of earning some cash for a venture, while simultaneously gaining knowledge and experience from them/the business. What are some of the best jobs out there that might give someone a good feel and good experience before they venture into real estate investing? I was thinking some kind of financial analyst job, but I wanted to hear what thoughts are out there. Clearly nothing gives experience like doing that thing itself, but surely there's some good things to learn beforehand that can be learned from someone doing the business.

Also, if there's any MUST-DOs before jumping in in the next 7 months (apart from gaining as much knowledge, input, networking, and research)... Please feel free to recommend.

Thanks!

[Ned Carey]

Any job in real estate will give you some experience. Of course any business experience will help. Real estate is no different than any other business. In addition to knowing your field you need to know about business itself. Any  job in sales marketing finance, management will give you some experience that will help. 

Specifically you could work as an agent or for an agent. You could do something in the commercial real estate  field, again a broker or as you suggest an analyst. Working for a bank in the loan dept  will give you some ideas about what it takes to get financing. You could work in the construction field.

Must do's - go out and learn your market. Visit tons of properties and evaluate them. Visit listed properties auctions, open houses, stop at every active rehab you see, visit other investors deals. You can have a ton of knowledge but if you don't have market knowledge, you won't be making the best deals.