All Forum Posts by: Billy Mehlinger

@Maxwell Hunter welcome! I am in the Atlanta area as well (Lilburn to be specific). Hope to connect with you in the future!

@Tommy Lancaster I think this horse has been beaten to death! Since there have been no responses I took it upon myself to do a little research and I found quite a few advantages to having your license. Writing your own deals I mentioned before but also you have the advantage of negotiating directly with the seller/agent without having to go through your agent. This allows more information to come your way without being filtered. Also, having access to the MLS doesn't just let you see potential properties it allows you to do your own comps for the area so you can evaluate deals more efficiently and quickly. I don't know if you listen to the biggerpockets podcast but show 23 or 24 had some good insight on getting your license. My only question to the professionals out there is how do I keep my license active if I am not going to be working with an agency and only investing for myself part time?

Thanks for the resoonses! They have been very insightful. I can't wait to get started once I find a deal!

So I have been looking for my first real property for about 6 months now. My first was a gimme that my dad is selling me to get me started. He did all the work himself and is letting me take it over after he gets a tennant. It's great and I truly appreciate what he is doing for me but I believe he is trying to shield me from all of the bad stuff as a father. It s great to have a mentor but In order to learn I think I need to be thrown in and do all of the work myself from the negotiations to the repairs to the marketing etc and have him there to guide me when I mess up.

My question is would it be better to wait until I find an amazing deal or should I just find something average that will make a little money or even just break even in order to jump start the learning curve. I always hear/read that getting started is the hardest part and that beginners get analysis paralysis and never make a move. I am in the Atlanta area market where prices are going up and it is hard to find deals like you could a few years ago (at least in the beginner's budget price range). I am looking for either buy and hold or a flip to generate some capital for a future buy and hold. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Hey John. I'm a beginner just like you but I have done quite a bit of reading over the past year and the best book I have come across is The millionaire real estate investor by Gary Keller. It breaks down all aspects of real estate investing. That one and of course The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Real Estate Investing. I found most of my books by just googling top real estate books and also listening to the biggerpockets podcast. At the end of each show they ask the guest what their favorite real estate book and business book are. The podcasts themselves are extremely helpful as well.

I have been wondering the same thing. Other than access to the MLS what benefit does it provide if I do not plan on actualy being an agent? I have heard another benefit is writing your own deals but your agent can do that and generally the seller pays commission and not thebuyer so it doesn't cost anything to have them represent you. Maybe I'm showing my "greenness" in the industry. I'd love to hear some opinions from seasoned vets.

Hate that I missed it. Please keep me in the loop for the next one!

Thanks for your reply, Jeff. I figured it had been covered before but I enjoy creating new conversations and interacting so I can meet some new people!

Hey Biggerpockets community! I have a question about getting my real estate license. I have been hearing conflicting opinions about getting your license when looking to invest in real estate. I am a part time investor just getting started and in no way do i plan on being a real estate agent. My plan is to invest mostly in buy and holds and possibly do some flips. My question is whether it is worth getting my real estate license. I have heard from some people that it is an invaluable tool and from others that it is a waste of time/money if you are not going to be an agent. What do you think?

Would it be worth my time/money to get a real estate license if I am going to be investing part time in real estate (between 1-3 buy and holds a year) or would it be best rely on agents and marketing to find potential properties?