Is it worth it to get real estate license just to sell one house?

[Ron Jensen]

Hi group

My family has a home they want to sell and they said if I got my license I can do the deal.  The license course takes a couple weeks of my time, and it will be about $500 to get the license (that is with courses, exams, books, and other fees).

The house is generally worth $220,000.  The family would be generous and allow 6-8% commission for me.  It is in a desirable area where houses sell quickly, and the house itself is in great condition, along with the whole neighborhood it is in great condition.  Typically houses in the neighborhood are sold very quickly.

Other costs for me are joining the REALTOR association.  Since I only plan to sell one house with this license, is it worth it to spend (possibly thousands of dollars) just to join the REALTOR association?

Also, how would it work out if I did not obtain my license, and instead, just did a referral.  If I asked for a high referral rate of lets say 35% or more, would this be more profitable that going through the other option of getting my licenses, taking the exam, mailing paperwork, and everything else included just to obtain that license?

Also, I have never sold a home before. 

[Russell Brazil]

I just saw a post in these forums from someone who is licensed but is part time, and they lost $25,000 because they didnt know what they were doing. Selling/buying real estate isnt a hobby. Once you become licensed you are responsible for knowing every thing about it. In this other individuals post, at least he only lost his own money instead of a clients.