All Forum Posts by: Holly Baldwin

Welcome to BP @Amy Johnson

Every time someone new from the Phoenix valley introduces themselves, I get a twinge of envy because I used to live there about 12 years ago and I have missed it ever since my hubby and I moved away!

You will be thrilled that you found this site. I have learned so much and I know you will too. Stay active in the forums by posting questions, commenting on other posts, etc.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the BP community...You are going to love it!

I am so jealous you reside in Arizona! My hubby and I used to live in Surprise, AZ....that's where we bought our first home together.....which happens to be our current rental property too.....we thought we would keep it just in case being away from palms trees and sun was too difficult! ha ha! (we get 4 days of pouring rain for the next 4 days here in the Salt Lake City area....I'll trade you!)

My advice, in addition to what others have said, is to stay active in the forums by asking questions, making comments, adding your perspective and look for ways to pay it forward, etc. And most importantly, have fun!

Take care,

Holly :)

@Ryan Boyce

Thanks for the "Vote"! I sent an email to your "gmail" account that contains the document entitled "Broker Questions." Hope it helps you out!

Best of luck to you as you take your licensing exam!

Holly :)

@Trevor Lohman

I think it is a great idea for your wife to do that! You have received great advice on here so far, but I want to add another FYI item:

If you are doing RE deals and your wife is your buying or selling agent, you must disclose your relationship in your transactions. Inform all parties involved that you two are married. States are mostly concerned about protecting the public. Full disclosure is a must....use transparency in all your deals. This is to not only protect the public, but to keep you out of court as well.

I got my required RE education from an online school and would highly recommend that route if possible. I also made sure the school I would choose was the most reputable one with a great track record and many recommendations from agents who got their schooling through that particular school. Not all online schools are great, so do a little research and get referrals before you choose!

Good luck to you and your wife!

@Andrew Davis

Hello! Although I am from Utah, not Texas, I thought I would answer your questions from my point of view in hopes of giving you at least one point to ponder on:

1. Maintaining license costs - Here's my example: I just went through online school ($609) and graduated. Then I took the state licensing test ($66 test fee) and passed the first time! I then went to the state division of real estate and paid my licensing fee ($152). Then I went to the local Realtor board and paid all my national and local dues to have the "Realtor" designation ($1155.00). That cost was prorated because I didn't have to pay for the entire year since it was February already. Then in October of this year, I will pay in advance for 2015 member dues ($795). Luckily I will get most, if not all, of my continuing education credits done for free through that local board because I am a member, among other perks.

2.Is it possible? - It is totally doable to keep your job and do RE on the side! It may take you a little longer to get up and going, but its your business, you decide. I work a part-time job and am a stay-at-home mom in addition to starting my RE career. Sometimes the scheduling can get tricky, but I'm not letting that stop me.

3. Finding a Broker - As I went through school, each course caused questions to pop into my head.....these questions were ones that my future broker would have to answer. So anytime I thought of a question, I would jot it down on a piece of paper. By the time I was nearing the end of school, I had a full page of questions to ask my future broker. (If you would like me to email you that document, PM me and I would be happy to share it with you!) About one month before I was to take the state licensing exam, I called different brokers in my area and set up appointments to meet with them. When meeting with them, I asked them my questions from that page and filled in their answers on the very same page. After interviewing six or more brokers, I had a good feel for what broker and what brokerage would best fit me and my personality and goals.

4. Course Recommendations - I can't help you there since I am not in your state. Make sure your state will accept the particular school you choose!

5. Finding a Broker to work with -(see answer to question 3) Whether you go with a local brokerage or a nationally recognized brokerage, it depends on what is going to fit you best. I was heavily leaning toward Keller Williams because of their training and systems. After interviewing 2 different Keller Williams brokers, I decided not to go with them after all because I didn't think they would relate to me very well or value what I value. My personality was the exact opposite of theirs. In the end, I went with a more local brokerage that more closely "fits" me. I have to say that even I am surprised at that outcome.

Well that was the long answer to your questions. Hope it helps you in some way. Good luck! -Holly :)

@Jonny C.

I know what you mean! I just got my RE license and as my husband and I tell people around us about my new path, the people are all so negative. What we hear most is, "Oh that's such a hard business to work in!" or this one, "That's so hard because you never know if you will have a paycheck or not."

I am so sick of people bashing my job choice! So I feel your pain and what I have decided to do is prove them wrong!! I will hang out with those positive thinkers instead who are encouraging and supportive. I will work my tail off to be so successful so the negative ones will be eating their words. The benefits of doing R.E. (especially R.E. Investing) are too great compared to the negatives. So just move forward with your plans and prove those people wrong!!

Hi @Ruth Jones

My rental property is in the West Valley of Phoenix in a city called Surprise. Does your Management Company cover that area? If so, I would be interested in getting your info and pricing just in case we have issues with the one we currently go with.

As far as your question, lack of communication is my biggest frustration. Our second frustration is that our money doesn't show into our bank account until the 20th of the month, which means we have to cover the mortgage and then wait and wait for our money.

Things our company does do that we love is they have a "portal" where we as owners can go online and check our account, our documents, etc. via this portal at any time.

Once again, welcome! I wish I was living in Arizona again!!

@Account Closed

Thank you for your information! I know you wrote it for Michael Jobe, but it really made an impression on me as well. I just passed Utah's licensing exam last week and am starting out as a new sales agent also.

Thank you for your thoughts because it gave me ideas I hadn't thought of yet. I appreciate it so very much! Thank you thank you!

@Josiah Halverson

Just like @Karen Margrave said, no matter what your relationship, no one thinks anything of it, its just that you need to disclose it. The Division of Real Estate is all about protecting the public and disclosing those relationships and ownership interests in your transactions shows the division that she is not trying to take advantage of the public. And it also covers your wife from disciplinary action with the Division.

Now, if she acts as the buyer's agent and the seller's agent at the same time, there are disclosures that by law she will have to give to both buyer and seller.....paperwork that both seller and buyer have to sign saying they are aware of that and understand the implications of such an agreement. If they do agree, your wife will be a "dual agent" ....or in Utah we call it a "limited agent". Again, if she doesn't disclose the implications of that situation using the appropriate forms, she will be at risk of disciplinary action from the Utah Division of Real Estate.

She will learn that if she goes through real estate school....but hopefully that just gives you some heads up as to what is involved.

@Josiah Halverson

I think one of Utah's Division of Real Estate's concerns with this would be DISCLOSURE. Your wife would have to disclose her relationship (i.e. being married to her client) and any ownership interests in each of the transactions. If she doesn't do that, she would be at risk for disciplinary action from the Division.

I just passed my UT real estate sales licensing exam yesterday so all this is fresh on my mind!