Career switch to RE professional?

[John Ma]

Hey guys, I'd like to get a feeler to see how many RE professionals here came from a different career field.

I'm a buy and hold investor for the past few years, for the same amount of time I became an engineer that funds my investments.

Lately I've been contemplating my career direction and more importantly, how I envision my life style and what I actually enjoy doing.  My salary is decent for an engineer my age, flexible and I certainly don't hate going to work as I get to see things most people in this world won't- but I often find myself having real estate on the mind whenever I have free time at work, much like how other people like to surf sports and celebrity news sites.  

I have had experience land lording, as well as running a top airbnb listing for years and did enjoy doing all of that, so I was thinking perhaps I would be more in the rental side of things.  What I liked about it was meeting a random person, and really helping them figure out how to for fill their needs.  It was fun for a few tenants and guests at a time, but I'm not sure if having 50-60 clients would make it as personable as I like it (or maybe i'm wrong?).

Perhaps I could also sell/buy a few properties here for clients as well to get a feeler for that side as well.

I want to hear some input from people who laid it all down and have quit a six figure salary to pursue a commission based RE career that requires no education.  What was it like? Was it everything you expected?   Share your thoughts and exp!

[James Wise]

I'd recommend getting your license and doing some part-time agent work.

You will know when/if the time is right to go full-time.