Full Time Job/Part Time Real Estate Agent

[Victor Adewunmi]

Hello BiggerPockets Community,

I am gearing up to take my Real Estate exam and looking for advice. Currently, I work weekdays 10:30a to 7p  with the immediate goal of starting out first as a part time Real Estate Agent. I cannot start investing as soon as I would like and I think it's too risky for me to quit my job to be a full time agent. There are many things I can learn by being an agent before zeroing in on my first rental. 

Getting to the point, I am looking for advice on a brokerage that would be able to complement my schedule with available trainings, and has an org structure that I can be successful with. I understand there is work that I have to put in but the work environment and culture is also important to me. 

At the Real Estate school, where I am currently taking courses, they bring in different brokers to present. I admit that Keller Williams and Century 21 seem to be a fit but I would like to hear from others who could shed light on their experience going from a Full Time cubicle to Part Time agent before eventually becoming an investor. 

What steps, or missteps, along the way made the biggest difference and why?

Thank you in advance!

[Jonathan R.]

Well, been there done that. I've worked a full time job as a part time realtor and now I'm an investor. I don't have any advice on what brokerage to go with, I'm sure you have plenty of great options. The good thing about your schedule is that many real estate company meetings, at least the ones I used to go to, were in the early morning. With your schedule, you should have no problem getting involved in the business. I learned a ton as an agent and think you are making a great decision by getting your license. I would suggest going with a brokerage who says they are willing to let you work some internet leads as they come in. The great thing about being a realtor is that clients will work with your schedule; if they don't, they don't need to be clients. I let my clients know when I could do showings and there was never an issue. I also applaud you for keeping your full time job, I think that is essential to take the pressure off of selling, it will also serve you well as you transition to investing. Do keep in mind that investing will yield you much better than selling, but, without my experience as a realtor, I do not think I would have been successful at investing. I spent countless hours searching the mls high to low and low to high. You'll know what a deal looks like after you do a few with others. Good luck.