Part-time RE Agent

[Jason King]

Good Morning BPers, 

A quick question for all of the more experienced investor/agents out there - has anyone started as a RE Agent while still holding a full-time job? I want to get my RE Agent license, but in my state you must work as an agent in order to gain the license/access to MLS. I am really not too interested in becoming a full-time agent, as my current full-time job has a much higher earning potential (at least to start), more looking for some supplemental experience/income and access to the MLS. Maybe this isn't the right route for me to achieve my goals, so I am open to suggestions. Any feedback you can provide would be much appreciated!

Jason

[Chris Simmons]

Take your time and do what you think will make the most sense.  I have messed with real estate off and on for 20 years now.  I would periodically think about getting my realtor license but i would typically be overcome with nausea and realize that was a dumb idea.  I have never held realtors in particularly good light because most of the ones I have dealt with are lazy idiots that just want a listing and to show up at closing.  I am sure there are great ones out there, I just haven't met them.  The idea of becoming one literally made me sick.

Now that I am back into buying mode, my primary intent, initially, was to become my own realtor so I would not have to deal with others representing me. Even if I don't buy enough houses to cover all my expenses and it ends up costing me $600/year to be a licensed realtor with MLS access. Money well spent in my opinion. Out of my way idiots, I got this from here on out. Don't get me wrong, I am not a cake walk for realtors either. I have yet to find one that really gets investors and have had to deal with the ones that think they deserve an award because they can open a door and tell you, "here's the living room" and then "hmm...i think this is the dining area". Thanks for the help there....couldn't have got that on my own.

My boredom and fatigue from corporate america has been enough to push me into wanting to do this full time and I have identified my niche to be distressed housing, investors, my own investing and property management for other investors or owners that can't sell.  I will not be competing with the morons that sell non distressed, turn key properties and drive people around looking at listings.  No thanks....getting nauseated thinking about it.  Will this mean big money for me?  I hope so, but this is a business after all and there is lots of competition.  

I will eventually get my broker license to avoid having to share my results with someone else....at least that is the plan.  I have to be a realtor for a few years for that to be possible so why not start now.

If you are on the fence....give it some more time.  Maybe you will find an investor friendly realtor.  Do what makes sense for you.  From what I understand, my first year expenses will be around $4,000.  I think I can make that up pretty easy.  But even if i do, that's just break even.  If I don't end up averaging at least $4,000/week in a couple years, I will be sorely disappointed.