Becoming a realtor as a career?

Question

Is it a realistic goal for me to become a realtor right out of high school (currently in 11th grade)? I have the opportunity of going to college (being a finance major to work in RE), working a job (maybe), and being a realtor, but I feel my time would be well spent being a realtor full-time and getting valuable experience in the real estate arena. I could do all three, however, I feel I would be juggling too many things at once while having a lack of focus on my RE agent career. I am aware I wont be successful automatically, but I am willing to put in the work and market myself. After becoming a realtor I plan to invest in rental properties.

Account Closed · Answer

Thank you everybody for your helpful responses!

David M. · Answer

(Did you post this twice in different threads?)

Its great you want to jump into this, but depending on what you do, college is only four years -- and not even all year round.  Also, while this is too much to into in a post, in short what is your goal?  Then, think what is your path?  You stated you want to study finance to help you do real estate investing.  You want to be a Realtor --- probably to help your real estate investing...  You are thinking of a job -- I don't know what kinda of job...  But, being a full-time Realtor is a job...  Maybe you should do "all of it" (just not at the same time) to achieve your goal.

Where do you see yourself in say 10 years?  I get the feeling its real estate investment.  What is that?  Is is somebody who is fixing and flipping homes?  Or, somebody who is wholesaling?  Or, building an income producing rental portfolio?  Or, maybe wearing a suit with a corner office on the 100+ floor somewhere managing a REIT?

Just to give you a dose of realism, yes there are role models and examples of people who have made it big with, for lack of a better term, a thin starting resume.  But, those are the "rock stars" and few people can do that.  Many people...  from all types of careers... have had variety of jobs... sometimes in a variety of fields... to get them to their success today.  You may not want to hear this, but gaining these experiences is part of the hard work to get to your end goal.  Many times, there are many paths to reach the same end goal, but not every path let you achieve many goals --- your goals will, and should, change as time goes on.

Best of luck.

Julian Montes · Answer

Thank you so much for your feedback Mr. Lynn, one thing I forgot to be more specific about was that I feel I would have a lack of focus on my real estate agent career (eventually investor) while doing all 3 tasks (job, college, realtor). Basically, I would like to just be a real estate agent full-time, but I am unsure if that is a realistic goal due to many factors including inconsistent income. I do however find that I will strive highly in the field due to me having a high interest in the real estate field. I guess the reason I'm contemplating this decision is due to many people being successful in the field without college and I really want to get a head start. Thanks again Mr. Lynn.

Rob Lee · Answer

Hi @Julian

I want you to succeed so I’m going to give it to you straight. My son just graduated college last year and he was in college at Texas State and had a part-time job. He was maxed out! He is an extremely bright kid but we saw his straight A’s slipping once he started his part-time job. (which we didn’t think he needed btw) He eventually pulled it together.

I think you should go to college and be a realtor part-time ONLY if this is possible. If it is not, go to college and work part-time if you need money. Become a realtor as soon as you free some time and are able to do it part-time comfortably.

Keep in mind also you will still have to pay fees monthly such as monthly dues to your broker, quarterly to the county, MLS fees, etc. Approx $250 a month in total. You will still learn the business earlier than most and when you become a multimillion-dollar realtor early, and all of this college and working regular job stuff will be a thing of the past!

Btw, you DON’T have to be a realtor to be an investor. My oldest kid is now working and following in my footsteps but without being a realtor. He is making great money and is buying his first house hack soon and will continue to use his income to buy more to build his mini-empire of real estate for cash flow to become financially independent and quit by the time he is 40 he says!  Good Luck!

@Julian Montesundefined

Julian Montes · Answer

Thank you everyone for your responses!!

Anthoney Hanks · Answer

I just think you cannot go wrong getting your license while going to college. It is a nice "to have". And if you watch Groupon, you can get your course for around $250. Good money spent!!

Rob Lee · Answer

@Julian Montes It's great that you are exploring your options! There are a number of ways to invest in real estate. None of them require you to be a Realtor. While there are some great things about being a Real Estate Agent, getting a real estate license teaches you absolutely nothing about being an investor.

If you are interested in college, get a bachelor's degree. Choose a career path that teaches you how to sell. Salespeople are revenue generators and usually high wage earners. Earn enough money to start investing while you build your net worth. Sales skills are transferrable. If you are still interested in real estate after a few years go for it. You can become a Realtor at any age.

Good Luck!

Jonathan W. · Answer

@Julian Montes I would suggest taking community college courses on the side. One or two a semester. When you are four years out with loads of RE experience you will have the option to get a degree when people who just go degrees are getting experience. It’s smart doing it backwards if you know what you want.

Then you’ll go to college for later in life, ask better questions, make better contacts and be more well rounded.

Also dude your young. Take the next advice from a guy involved in RE and casinos at a younger age, surround yourself with people your age and take a class or two. It will keep you grounded and you will meet amazing people who have ambitions the same as you.

Neil Narayan · Answer

@Julian Montes

If it was me I would try to balance all 3 or do Realtor plus college. You need the college as your backup as RE market is cyclical. Also initially your Realtor will not pay as much so the first year focus on building your network and learn the market. If you have a job during this time it will help.

Bruce Lynn · Answer

Great idea....there will be challenges as you suggest, but you can do it.   I wish I had started when I was in college or your age.  You'll be 20-30 years ahead of many realtors.   It is great work you can do between or after classes, and maybe you gain focus on what studies you want to take....you'll work with a lot of contracts, so maybe that will encourage you to take business law or other legal classes.   You could develop an interest in historical homes and want to study the history of your area.  You could like getting into construction and want to take some electrical, plumbing, or construction management classes.  Maybe you'll end up liking design, or marketing, or sales, or leadership, or who knows what other avenue.  So to be things work both ways regarding your studies.

The possibilities are endless and unlimited.

You can study for your license now, take the classes and be ready to roll the day you turn 18.

Best wishes.

Becoming a realtor as a career?

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