Investor obtaining real estate license - good or bad?

[Chris Duffy]

Hi everyone, 

I'm an investor in Tampa. I am not licensed, however my agent here recommended I get my license and just keep it in referral status to make referrals and collect commissions that way. Just some extra income while I build my portfolio. I really don't have an interest in being an active agent/broker in the future in either residential/commercial. 

I've spoken with various investors about this and get a lot of mixed opinions. Some say it's a terrible idea for an investor to get their license as other agents will not want to refer properties to me as i'm now "competition". Also that I'd be held to different standards. Others have said it helped them out tremendously in their investing game. I see tons of agents/brokers that are also investors, but of course plenty of investors who never got their license. Any input? 

Thank you in advance

[Steven Foster Wilson]

Quote from @Chris Duffy:

Hi everyone, 

I'm an investor in Tampa. I am not licensed, however my agent here recommended I get my license and just keep it in referral status to make referrals and collect commissions that way. Just some extra income while I build my portfolio. I really don't have an interest in being an active agent/broker in the future in either residential/commercial. 

I've spoken with various investors about this and get a lot of mixed opinions. Some say it's a terrible idea for an investor to get their license as other agents will not want to refer properties to me as i'm now "competition". Also that I'd be held to different standards. Others have said it helped them out tremendously in their investing game. I see tons of agents/brokers that are also investors, but of course plenty of investors who never got their license. Any input? 

Thank you in advance

 I think it all comes down to your goals and dreams. For myself Realestate is my passion. I enjoy looking at deals, finding deals, and talking about it. I wake up every day excited to go into work. So becoming an agent was natural. Here in Columbus, I have a lot of investors that are not getting their license and just focusing on the investment. I think it’s about building a successful business. In becoming an agent would that be your role in your team? Or would it be better to have someone do that role in your team and you do something different?