Is a real estate license worth it? What are the hidden costs?

[Jason Crews]

In the next few years, I hope to be able to start investing in real estate (buy and hold, multis), and in the next couple of year I will probably be purchasing a new personal residence. It occurred to me that I may be able to save a few thousand dollars if I act as my own agent.  

I live in Arizona, so school itself isn't that expensive (abt $400), which leaves the exam and any licensing fees. However, lets say I purchase a $300,000 home, I can then get a credit of about $9,000. Later, when I start investing, I'll have the same advantage and be able to access the MLS.

It seems too good to be true, so please feel free to burst my bubble. 

[Justin Owens]

I pay about $1000 a year to keep my license and 400 to 600 per deal. If I do a real estate tranaaction every year or two it more than covers my costs and gives me access to MLS.