All Forum Posts by: Mindy Jensen

I have been happy with almost everything I have purchased at Menard's, and wish it was in CO. I had a bit of trouble with 2 faucets I purchased (and of course, installed) but I returned them with zero difficulties. I wish they were here... Sigh.

I just saw this post, and am so happy there will be an April meeting. Putting it on my calendar right now.

I guess it all depends on what you want out of your license. For years, I held off getting licensed, because of the commission splits. I finally found an office that doesn't charge a percentage, but a flat rate of less than $500 per transaction. As an investor/flipper, this was awesome news, because I am not going to be a high volume salesperson, and will therefore not ever get over the 40-50% split hump.

If you are truly looking for a new career, and want to learn all you can, go with the company that can teach you the most. You can always switch agencies later. Good luck!

Hi Victor.

I just finished up my classes online at vaned.com. I am in CO, but they are approved for TX as well. I have nothing but excellent things to say about them. They required me to take all of my online classes, and then complete two review courses before they would give me my completion certificate so I could take the state licensing exams. No idea what the requirements are for TX, but I know those review courses are the only reason I passed the exams the first time around. They are part of the course, not an extra charge. Any questions you have during the course are answered almost immediately. There is a lag time during weekends, but I never had to wait more than 2 days for an answer. If you are interested in online classes, check them out. www.vaned.com.

Are you also running a similar ad on Craigslist.org? Most ads on CL are free, and free is the best price to pay :)

I think an older audience still reads the classifieds in newspapers, and younger people tend toward online. Since you are in AZ, you may have more of an older population...

Good luck!

Hi Laura.

If you are thinking about going for a traditional mortgage, I have someone in Kansas City who can write mortgages in all 50 states. I have used him for the last 7 transactions, and I cannot find ANYONE who can beat his rates/closing costs. He usually saves me at least $2000 from any other quote, and I try to find a better rate every single time to no avail. I am almost ready to give up. Send me a note if you are interested and I will give you his contact information. (I get nothing out of this, no referral fees or anything. He has saved me so much money, I like to refer him whenever I can.) Good luck!

Make sure you get a good brand. I have used the cheapest I could find, then water hit the seams and it was crystal clear why it was so cheap... It would be a shame if someone spilled something on it, and it had to be replaced. Good luck!

Christopher, I just took and passed the CO exam. Great advice above, and I would reiterate, read every question carefully. I took classes through VanEd.com and they have a review program built into their class. I took and retook the practice exams every day for a week before my test.

VanEd suggests reading through the test, answering the questions you KNOW first, then go back through for a second time, taking your time on the questions you don't quite know. Read through every answer, because even though choice #1 sounds great, choice #3 might be even better.

Don't sign up to take it until you are ready to take it. Then, sign up and continue to take the practice tests every day until you sit for the exam. Good luck!

I just got my CO license. Actually, I just passed my test, and applied, I haven't yet received it. There are many costs associated with getting a license. I am going by the CO costs, but I can't imagine they are that much different in other states.

Classes: $700
License: $570
MLS access: $39/mo + $95 initiation
Realtor Association Dues: $395 + $100 application fee

In CO, you have to be licensed for two years before you can hang out your own shingle and be your own boss. Most agencies charge you a desk fee PLUS up to 50% of your commission, for the PRIVILEGE of working for them. I found a company that charges a $52/mo desk fee and $500 for each house sold. That seems much more reasonable to me.

So your initial year will be quite the outlay of cash. However, consider that every time you buy a listed property, YOU get the commission instead of someone else. I figure I have to represent one buyer or seller this year to break even, and every sale after that is profit. It still seemed worth it to me.

The online classes took a while. In CO, a brand new agent has to take 168 hours of classes. I have 2 small children plus a rehab we are living in during construction. Life takes its toll and it took me 4 months to finish the classes. I studied for another 3 weeks after that, then sat for the test. So there is the initial outlay of cash and time.

I would do it again, easily. It seems worth it to me. Good luck!

Our first MAJOR flip was a disaster. We hired the wrong GC who made many mistakes. The only saving grace was my father recommending we get signed lien waivers from each sub BEFORE writing the check. It saved us literally thousands when the GC got the waiver from the sub, then kept the money for themselves. I felt horrible for the subs, but I did my part. ALWAYS get lien waivers BEFORE writing the check.