RE investor has just passed the RE exam. Question about the fee

[Wai Chan]

Hello, I have been a RE investor since 2014 (Own 8 SFRs in DFW and 3 triplex in San Diego) I have just passed the RE exam. and plan to use my license to do my own deal or friends. I have found a one guy brokerage who is fine with me hanging my license under him and won't charge me anything (No monthly fee, no commission split). However he told me that I need to pay around US1300/yr to join different realtor association and to get MLS access and the Sentri.

Sorry for all the dumb questions...:

1. Is it compulsory to join those realtor association as a realtor? 

2. I have been using redfin to look at the deals and I feel like the interface is even better than the MLS page that my previous realtor has sent me. What are other benefit to get MLS access?

3. Sentri key is the most important thing I want to get. Can I skip the two things above and just get the Sentri access? Does it have any dependence on other stuff that I need pay?

Just trying to keep the expense low given that I don't think I will do transaction actively with my license...

[Bob Okenwa]

@Wai Chan

1. If you want access to MLS you will need to pay the association who has the rights to manage the MLS in your area. In my area, a new agent gets licensed and then they also need further accreditation as a Realtor, and then they get access to MLS. We all need to pay for ongoing access too and we need to keep up our state license and our Realtor affiliation as well.

Basically you pay to become an agent, then you pay to become a member of NAR, then finally you become a member of the local association of Realtors then you pay for the MLS. Talk to a local realtor to ensure your process is the same as the one I described

2. My local MLS has private agent notes and way more search filters than Redfin. I can book showings and review historical listings of a property and check closed rental comp data, and there are other features within it as well.

3. Not sure how that works in San Diego

Remember that the being an agent and everything that goes with it was designed for agents. You're looking at it through the lens of an investor. If the fees are going to hurt you and you're that worried about them, then don't get your Realtor designation. 

I think you need to change your look at the situation to a 'glass half full' mindset. Don't think of what you're spending, think of what you'll be earning and the information you'll have access to and how it'll make you a better investor. I lived in SD for two decades and still have friends and family there, some of which are Realtors. Literally one sale of an average-priced home at 3% commission will pay your dues for over a decade.