New investor looking for advise

[Grayson Taber]

I am new to real estate investing and I am currently building capital to start investing. I am also in school and will be a CPA once I am done. I am wanting to use my time as effectively as possible and want to educate myself as much as I can. Would it be more beneficial to get my real estate license or mortgage license?

[Kyle J. Cooper]

@Grayson Taber

That all sounds great! If you're still in school you have some time to keep learning and planning before breaking into real estate investing. If I could go back to my college days, I wish I would've found some of these Bigger Pockets books a long time ago. I'd read everything you can get your hands on, and start communicating with anyone in or around real estate. House Hacking Strategy, Set for Life, Book on investing in rental properties, Book on investing in real estate with no (and low) money down, BRRRR, etc etc! All of that knowledge early in your career will help you jump in asap. Regarding real estate license or mortgage license that all depends on your goals and if you actually need them working as a professional in the industry. A seasoned investor would suggest to get neither and just leverage the right people around you in order to achieve your investing goals. Managing people will come in handy regardless of what you do! Hope this helps! Cheers!

[Will Fraser]

HI @Grayson Taber, welcome back to the BiggerPockets forums!  

In my opinion you absolutely do NOT need to spend your precious time chasing more degrees and licenses.  These things are necessary for people who are building their job around, that for them it is good and right.  For you, a CPA in the making, it would be very strategic to have the knowledge of a real estate agent and a mortage broker, but to actually get these licenses feels like an overcomplication.

Get out there and learn, learn, learn.  Then you will earn, earn, earn!  

[Cole Simpson]

If you have no interest in being an agent or mortgage broker I wouldn't spend the time getting the license.  Better to use your time finding deals, learning, etc.  Just my two cents.