Information on being a Real Estate Agent while working fulltime

[Jeffrey Diaz]

Hello! 

My name is Jeffrey Diaz and I am resident of Lake Mary, Florida. I have had an interest in becoming a real estate agent for a little while now but never took the time to actually begin my journey. I currently work 40 hours a week, 8pm-5pm; Monday-Friday. My main question is if I put my time in, is it possible to be successful as an agent? I am only looking to supplement my current income at this time. I am in no way expecting too much while I maintain my current employment. However, I am curious to know if it's doable. My current job is not demanding nor is it labor intensive whatsoever. It's relatively laid back and I tend to have a lot of free time. My goal would be to invest time after work during the week while spending most of my weekends working in real estate. 

I apologize ahead of time if my terminology is not so good, I am brand new to this. 

Thank you so much for your time,

Jeff

[Shane Hedeen]

A lot of great replies already to your post here @Jeffrey Diaz. There is certainly a way to make it work. That said, like @Matt Motil mentioned there are a lot of dues and costs to hanging your license. 

The biggest thing I can bring up is this... Put yourself in the shoes of being your future client. Let's say it's 10am, and there's the perfect home on the market. Just hit that day, and it already has an offer. Your clients would need to go take a look, and write up an offer by a certain deadline potentially. Are you going to be able to serve them at a high level on the weekends and evenings? 

If you are thinking of becoming a part time agent to work with folks buying at "retail" price, you need to understand that they need your service and attention. It's what you're getting paid to do. Maybe you'll find some clients who are fine with you only working when you're not at work. How many people would that be tough? Why wouldn't they just go work with someone who dedicates their entire career to serving people in that capacity? 

There are some huge reasons for a super high percentage of turnover every year. Most people think they can hop into real estate, have deals handed to them on a platter, and work it as a side job. It's like anything else - it requires work. It requires you being quick to respond when things come up with a property under contract. Lenders, title companies, inspectors, appraisals - they all work when you work your day job. They expect you to answer your phone, reply right away to urgent emails, etc. 

It's not super positive feedback, but my honest opinion. Are there people who can make it work part time? Of course, but then hopefully your job has a lot of flexibility in you checking into something that may need to get done for a client immediately. 

If you are looking to get your license for the benefits of your own investing like @John Rogers brings up, totally different answer. The biggest difference being - you are your own client in this scenario, and hurting nobody else other than yourself if you can't attend to things quick enough during the day. 

Best of luck as you decide! Maybe it would work out great, I am certainly not the end all be all. Just thought I felt compelled enough to share my thoughts, as it's very difficult working with a part time agent on the other end of a deal from a professional standpoint as well.