New to Real estate in California

[Jackie Khar]

Hello all,

Recently passed the CA broker exam with no hands on experience in R.E, just my B.S degree in Finance/Real Estate. Instead of hanging my license with a broker, I'm opting to open a mom and pop brokerage with a realtor that has been in the business for 30+ years.  

My first question is how much would it cost roughly to open a very small brokerage in CA?  My second question is, I'm going to be trained by the realtor, but I'm also thinking of buying the bundle on C.A.R.S that teach you to close a deal from start to finish, has anyone tried these courses? 

[Ali Boone]

I agree with @Charlie Cameron. There's a ton of liability on brokers. Getting started in RE/REI is challenging enough without having all those [very detailed] logistics on top of it. Plus it'll cost you a ton just in office space (physical office space is required to be a broker) and otherwise being a broker. I'd 100% make your life easier and just start off simple, build your business, and then when it becomes big enough you could do the broker thing. I don't know how you'd really have the basis or experience to be a successful broker if you don't even have agent experience. If it's just about the money-save, I'm not sure you'd end up saving as much as you think you would.