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

[Vonetta Booker]

It's definitely possible to be a PT RE agent--as long as it fits with what your main goals are. It works for me because I don't do retail--I have my license primarily to buy/sell my own flips. It gives me access to the MLS to find, see & make offers on deals ASAP, and then I make/sell commission when buying/selling.

I think the ones who are pro-full time are usually the retail agents--which I can see, as they're working solely with retail buyers & sellers who need their services on a full-time basis.  It's just all about being aware of your own personal goals and what works for you.  Good luck! 

[Brian Huber]

Hi.  I'm in a similar boat as the OP. I signed up to take the class and I hope it will help with finding deals and possibly accept clients on a limited basis. I have two questions:

-Once I sign up with NAR, will I have MLS access for all of the US? Or just the state(s) in which I'm licensed?

-It's sounding like being a Buyer's Agent is not possible to do part-time because you're shuttling buyers around to different houses. However, can it be done part-time if you're a listing agent?

Also, ideally, if I can close on one house a month and keep my full time job, I'd be in heaven.  I'd even be satisfied with one house a quarter. Is this realistic while holding a full-time job?

Thanks all!

[Judy Parker]

@Jason King, I hold a full-time job and also my real estate license.  Like you, I don't want to give up the security of the regular paycheck and benefits, for the insecurity of a straight commission job.  After work hours I do my real estate investment and occasional real estate agent tasks.

[Dawn Brenengen]

@Brian Huber you will join your local Realtor association in addition to the national association. It's through the local board that you will gain MLS access. It doesn't cover a whole state, just a small portion. My MLS covers the central part of NC, known as the Triangle.

You can be a part time buyer's or listing agent. Buyers are typically house hunting on the weekends, so that might fit your schedule. It's more lucrative to work with sellers, so I would focus there. 

I know full time agents who can't close one house a month. One house a quarter is probably realistic as a part timer. If you are a hard worker, great marketer and really passionate about RE, you could do better than average!