Being a Part-time Real Estate Agent... YAY or NAY??

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@Shannon Webb I did not have a family in '08, so I really didn't consider myself spread too thin. My days were long, but I grew up on a farm, so that seems pretty normal to me. Currently I'm working full-time, raising two toddlers while working opposite shifts from my wife and getting into real estate investing. Everyone is different, but if I can do it, you can definitely do it! My suggestion is that you look seriously at assisting a realtor or working in property management, if you need a steady paycheck right away. It takes awhile and seven long days per week to get there with commissions.My team was working with a builder in 2007. When sales began to slump, he finished his subdivision and headed to Arizona, which left me struggling. Over the next year, I managed to sell a couple houses, was given a couple meals as "Referral Fees" and worked with investors, who were buying super cheap houses to turn into rentals or flip. That was a good time for them, but when you spend $1000/mo on advertising and only make $600/mo on commissions, you won't last long. What I saw was inspiring, though! With so many different angles, real estate is really a recession proof way to not only survive, but thrive.

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@Shannon Webb the best part about real estate is that it is truly up to you to make it successful. If you put in 20 hours consistently it will pay off. I think Brokers will work with any one who is eager and can be teachable. That's how my brokerage is run and we are becoming quite the success in our area. Just keep networking I am sure you find a suitable broker who will be willing to take you under their wing.

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Hi Shannon. I'm a construction management major and I highly suggest getting a paid internship with a big general contractor or developer, like Skanska, Turner, Gilbane, Parsons, Balfour Beatty, etc. If your market is anything like Seattle, you can get paid $20+/hour for doing basic project management help and every large company loves having interns. The experience learning from these big companies can teach you how the successful people do things. Working in this environment, or architecture firm or development company, can teach you what you like or don't like and show you the avenues to pursue your dreams. All the best to you!

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I'm currently working a part time in GA Tech and a realtor while going to school full time for mechanical engineering. I got my license in September and I'm just now starting to pick up a bit of business. The thing I've learned about being a real estate agent part time is that it will take time to start making money because you may not have time to invest in marketing yourself and lead generate. In this field, it's definitely about lead generation lead generation is key. It's possible for you to make a living but it won't be easy especially since your studying to be an architect (they work crazy hours sleeping in the building sometimes even). You will have clients call you whole in the middle of work or school sometimes and you really have to try to make every minute count. In short, if you want to do this,manage your time VERY WELL and you should be fine. Also look into ways to leverage your time. I wish you the best of luck. You got this!!

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Hi Shannon! Your drive is admirable! I HATE being Mr. Negative, so it kills me to say this, but if you want to be a broker, you really need to be available full time. I was A licensed broker with Prudential in Oregon for a few years and what ultimately killed my dream was trying to do it part time. I was working with a couple investors, who bought cheap properties that wouldn't pay my ledger balance, let alone my bills, and struggling to list homes after losing the builder I worked with at the beginning of the bubble burst. So, I took a job and tried to sell dirt on the side. I still have that job, but I'm no longer a licensed RE professional. That was my experience. But the point is that you really need to pound the pavement, research and tour properties and make yourself available to clients at all hours just to survive as a broker. So many times I would tour a home with a client at 8:30am, go to the office and do some prospecting, meet with my team over lunch, research new listings and follow up on phone calls all afternoon, then go home only to have the phone ring during dinner because an offer was coming in at 8:00pm, so race back to the office or property and negotiate a deal, which may or may not close! That was a pretty normal day! Your goals and aspirations are wonderful and I wish you the best of luck! As a father of two young 'uns, I certainly know exactly where you are coming from. My advice, if your heart is set on working in RE, would be to look for a broker who needs a licensed assistant. Use that to make contacts and learn the market and inventory, while producing a steady income. Then start looking at listing some homes on your own. At that point you will have trusted partners who can help out when you are unavailable and will do more than buy you dinner when YOUR deal falls in their lap.

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If you need an immediate substantial boost in income, being a beginning real estate agent probably wont work. Beginning agents usually starve when starting out. They have no experience or clients. Most people understand that every surgeon must have a first patent, they just don't want to be it. On top of that, you will be spending money for licensing, agent fees, and advertising. I slept on a friends couch for six months when starting out. Also, it's difficult to be a part-time agent, people don't understand that you have class when they want to see a property. Good Luck.

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Hey Shannon, It is definitely possible! I work 40+ hours a week with my day job and am able to be a part time agent. It does, however, take a little bit of time to onboard clients. My recommendation to you would to be just make sure your clients know the hours and days you are available. Your schedule may work for some people and may not work for others. Best of luck to you!

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Hi Shannon, I admire your goals and don't want to be negative but I do agree with others who say there is no such thing as a part time Broker. Its just not possible. If you cannot be full time right now because of family or school, then my advice would be to find a job assisting a full time broker as a showing agent or admin. You will learn a lot about the industry and have consistent pay. You could also find work in an upscale apartment complex, where your sales skills will be put to test. Good luck!

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Hi Shannon Webb I personally do not think you have to get a license to do real estate. The most successful realtors do this business full time because they can generate leads, contact those leads immediately, and set up meetings with the sellers; as opposed to part-time ones who can only do so after work or during lunch. Now that being said, if what you really want to do in life is become a realtor, then I'd suggest talking to the top producing agents in your area and have them bring you on board under their wings so that you can learn the ropes while you also earn some income. If you do not want the life of an agent but still want to do real estate, then look for successful investors in your city and become their bird dog (or property locator). That way you meet other investors, make some money and eventually do your own thing. (This is what I did and I'm glad I chose this option) Either way, have fun while at it! Dayo F Osibamowo Springfield IL

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Thanks so much everyone for all of your responses! I really appreciate it! Now I have a few questions: @Bryan Vincent Am I up under the correct impression that you have another job along with RE as a means for supporting yourself as you go through school? And does this mean you dont have time for other things such as FAMILY?@James Propeck Do you feel as though you were extended too thinly at the time that you decided to embark in RE? And do you feel as though the 2008 downturn, ultimately killed your initial dream? Im looking to see if there are things I can refrain from considering when making this choice because no matter what, Ill start the RE classes within the next couple of days and hope to be able to tie some loose ends afterwards. I just want to be thouroughly prepared, you know?@Phil Earley What youre saying is putting me a little more at ease. I guess I need to do a little more research as far as what all types of FLEXIBLE jobs I can have with a RE license as well. To me its anot about, flash... Its more about fufilling my ultimate goal and becoming a master of the field in whatever way I can. Money is a necessity and therefore something I HAVE to make, especially living in Atlanta, so whatever way I can make enough money, gain the necessary knowledge, and gain much needed experience, I am ALL for it!