Advising for a Real Estate career in WA

[Long Nguyen]

I want to become a full-time investor but I do not have any experience at all. However. I am really serious of getting into the real estate investing field. In the flipping book, it is recommending getting a real estate license. I've look it up and contacted some of the school around my area. One of the advisor was telling me about working as a salesperson at least 6 months in order to get income before getting my license. I was confused because I'm not familiar with the rules in real estate so I decided to ask you for some opinions.

Would you recommend getting the real estate pre-licensing and take the exam before get any experience?

Do you have any preference between taking the pre-license courses online or in class?

In WA state, real estate career have two paths, one is to become a real estate salesperson by getting 90clock hours. Second is after getting at least 2 years of experience, I can get the real estate broker license by taking the 120 clock hours. But do I need to get the broker license? Whats benefit do I have over the salesperson license?

For the MLS, do they charge every month or how is it work to enroll?

I hope someone can help me with these because I've looked online for any suggestions and opinions but I cant find any. I want to get my career going as soon as possible but don't know where to start now.

Thank you so much,

Long

[Sean Brooks]

Long,

The suggestion in the book is advised because as a Realtor you'll know and understand more about real estate; the laws of the state that govern real estate is a major advantage. Plus, you'll have access to information that the general public do not. Zillow does not have it. 

In most states, everyone starts off as a Salesperson. Now in situations where you want to purchase a house from an owner and they have a Realtor you're able to communicate on a professional level. You're also able to submit your own properties to the mls. It also creates leverage because your generating money from various aspects of the industry. My suggestion with no experience look at it very closely, it's not going to hurt but help. 

In your state you need a total of 90 hours of class time. 

• A 60-hour course in Real Estate Fundamentals.
• A 30-hour course in Real Estate Practices

Look up other states that you would like to invest in. In my case, I needed 99 hours that's the most in the country. I can now study and take the state test for other states like Florida and go there - help others buy and sell. And invest for myself. 

Here's some more information that backs up my statement:

Scott Yancey from flipping vegas started off as a runner for an investment firm, that investor advised him to get his license. Today, he's a broker and has a real estate brokerage. On the show, they did not reveal this information. 

Insert from his own website "When Scott went off to college he got a job as a runner for a very successful real estate investment company. His boss, Walter J. Plumb III" - "Walter pulled Scott aside one day and suggested that he get his real estate license"

If you view the show Flip or Flop on HGTV now. The host flipping the properties are real estate agents.

More knowledge never hurts but gives you an advantage. 

In live you follow success, you do what success people have done. The end result should be that you become successful. 

Good luck and wishing you success.