Real estate agent or wholesaler?

[Demetrius Brickhouse]

Hello BiggerPockets world! I have a question that I have been debating about for some time now. I am currently a satellite tech which I'm using just to build capital to get into the real estate business. My ultimate goal is to become a real estate investor full time, my plan was to start as a realtor to gain more knowledge of this business while building capital and contacts. My current dilemma is that with my current job I could make anywhere from 40-50K a year so could i realsiticlly make that my first year, also could I net 80k my first year with hard work and dedication and treating it like a business and not a job! My other thoughts were to continue working and start wholesaling until I could begin to include more real estate strategies. I have great work ethic and I am highly motivated to become successful I really just wanted to advice/opinion from more experienced real estate entrepreneurs! Thanks guys.    

[Hattie Dizmond]

How are you as a sales person?  Real Estate Agents are great salesmen, expert marketers and phenomenal networkers...at least the really successful ones. Could you net out the numbers you asked about?  Theoretically you can. You said you're in GA. It's a decent sized state. If you're in a decent sized market, it's conceivable you could hit your goals. 

I have a slightly different approach I'll suggest. Why not get your license, while you're still employeed? Having a license will give you MLS access, which will be beneficial as an investor. You can be an agent part time. I have friends that do it. Build your base and contacts that way. You can still wholesale properties, unless GA laws restrict it as an agent, but you have the safety net of your job.