I want to wet my feet becoming a Real Estate Agent...tips?

[Jake Calle]

I think a great place to start my REI career would be as a Realtor. I know a few people that invest and I also run a classifieds program at my job (my family owned radio station). Any tips on which course to take and which company would be a better start in Tampa, Fl?

[Adrian Smude]

@Jake Calle first I'd ask why are you becoming an agent?  If you truly want to sell homes retail then go for It!  If you are doing it to get into the investing side I'd say wait and spend that money else where.  Later if you decide you need the license go for it.  I think a lot of people go this route because they think it's the best way, but you do not need a license to be an investor.  Keep reading on here and asking questions, hope I helped :-) 

[Brad Bartlett]

@ Jake Calle  I agree with Adrian. It really depends on what your goals are. Getting your real estate license is mostly about learning state licensing law. The class will teach you very little about real estate valuation, sales, and how to make a living in real estate. I’m not trying to discourage you. There are a lot of good reasons to have your real estate license too. I could give better advice if I know more about your goals.

The biggest real estate school in the Tampa area is probably Bob Hogue School of Real Estate.

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Adrian Smude:

@Jake Calle first I'd ask why are you becoming an agent?  If you truly want to sell homes retail then go for It!  If you are doing it to get into the investing side I'd say wait and spend that money else where.  Later if you decide you need the license go for it.  I think a lot of people go this route because they think it's the best way, but you do not need a license to be an investor.  Keep reading on here and asking questions, hope I helped :-) 

I agree with Adrian too. While a license would give you access to the MLS and book knowledge about Real Estate in general I think the best education is in the trenches and learning from you and other peoples mistakes. Real Estate Agents have to get extra training to become "investor friendly" so I imagine that the coursework required to obtain a Real Estate License pertains to more of Real Estate as a profession rather than an investment vehicle.

[JOAN DICKIE]

It's kind of expensive to just "dip your toes". Not only the cost of the education, but the licensing fees, th State Association fees, the local association fees, the MLS fees, the lock box fees, and the possible office fees are just the start. If you are investing, go a REIA and find out if you can work part time for another investor, or go to a landlord association and do the same. That way you can get a good idea without spending tons of money on something that you really don't like or want to do (real estate sales).