Advice on my future in Real Estate

[Jared Smith]

Hi everyone, 

I am here to ask your advice on a very specific situation. 

I am currently a college student that has completed 2 years of general studies, and will be entering a major next semester my current plan is to double major in business management and Real Esate. I have always been business minded and I enjoy managing / helping people succeed. I have planned for years to start as a Real Estate agent while saving and investing until I saved enough to start a Real Estate brokerage. 

This plan was for a perfect world, but last year I had a car accident in which I injured my spinal cord and left me in a wheelchair. This being said I am still going to be going to college ( Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, or UNC) for business/Real Estate majors. I am guessing that given my situation it would be nearly impossible to be an agent because of my limited mobility. 

Is it possible to successfully start a brokerage with no agent experience? (Obviously it's not optimal...)

Is it a good plan to go to school for business management and Real Estate? I thought this would be good because I can get the training to manage a brokerage and also get educated in both commercial and residential Real Estate. 

Any other advice is more appreciated than you'll ever know!

[Brandon Sturgill]

@Jared Smith Brokerage laws are different in every state, you need to talk to a local expert or you division of real estate. The state laws/codes will dictate. Most states require either a minimum education or practice requirement. 

As far as having a disability, it puts you at a unique advantage. Do some research about housing for individuals with disabilities and hold onto your hat...there is a world of opportunity...and you having a disability yourself speaks volumes. There are very unique opportunities like working with government to build and provide housing, or create a business that renovates rentals for individuals with physical disabilities... flats with wider doorways, handicap accessible bathrooms, lower counter tops, etc.