Question about being a buyer agent and commissions

[Jason Chan]

Hi all, 

So I've made the move to purchase a class and will be looking to get my licenses! Super excited about this. Anyways, currently I have a full time job that pays me pretty well. I'm becoming a real estate agent to learn more about the market and for my own investing purposes, however I do have a quick question.

Let's say for example I have a few rich uncles (example) or friends that are looking to buy houses. I would like to help them find a good property and then reach out to the listing agent and hopefully earn a commission off the sale. From what I understand, I would need to be apart of a broker and they will take a cut which is fine, but since I won't be buying and selling actively, how can I approach this without having to pay heavy desk fees, but still earn a commission? I don't mind paying a small monthly fee for being apart of a brokerage, but most require you to be full time and super active or pay heavy desk fees.

Thanks all!!

[Mindy Jensen]

@Jason Chan ,

Real estate commissions have evolved, and while the old way still exists, there are many many options available to you now.

First off, the licensing coursework really only exists to teach you how to pass the licensing test. I learned next to nothing about real estate through my coursework, except outdated ways to measure properties and a boatload of information I will literally never use again. I think the whole course needs to be overhauled, but that's a topic for another thread.

If you are looking for education, then a larger, nationwide brokerage may be a better choice. I initially hung my license with a monthly fee/flat charge per sale broker, and am now part of a boutique team within a larger firm. We have a couple of options - a monthly fee and lower per-sale charge for higher volume agents, or no monthly fee and a larger per sale charge for lower volume agents.

There are tons of options available, and you should just keep talking to agencies until you find one that fits what you are looking for.

Yes, some agencies will want you as a full time agent, but others are fine to let you work part time.