CT Investors: Is Getting My Realtor License Worthwhile?

[Mike Goldenthal]

Just to get this out there, this is my first post on biggerpockets and I'm still figuring everything out, so apologies in advance if my post is in the wrong place or anything like that.

I am just now starting to educate myself on real estate investing and have spoken to a couple real estate professionals in CT about the value of getting my realtors license. Some have told me it's a necessity, while others have said it's a waste of time for real estate investing. With some experience as a Broker's Assistant in the Southern California market, I see huge value in having access to the MLS information, property taxes, etc. but was hoping to gauge the CT community's opinion on acquiring a license for investing purposes in this state. Do you think its helpful as an investor to be licensed?

For those of you investors who do hold a realtor's license and aren't out there chasing commissions, how did you go about finding a broker to hold your license? Was it challenging to find a company that would do this for you knowing that you weren't in it to be a traditional realtor?

Any and all information/advice is greatly appreciated. As I said, I'm just starting out, so I'll take all the help I can get. Thanks!

[Jon Lee]

Hi @Mike Goldenthal....so in a nutshell...it all depends!  ;-)   

Seriously...only you can determine if it is right for you to get your license. A couple things to take into consideration:

1) What will your license do for you?  Is it not to leave money on the table?  CT has high values like CA...it could make since to help keep some of the commission on a flip.  In NV, I have license but I don't use it for much except a few referrals a year. 

2) Is the cost of your license worth the access to you? Do you have the ability to get the same info (or close to it) through other means or relationships.

As for finding a broker to hang your license...that's easy.  Brokers almost everywhere will let you hang your licences but if you don't really plan to do "agency" transactions with primary home buyers; look to the brokers who are investor friendly.  

Hope this helps...best of luck to you!