There are no downsides that I can imagine to being a licensed agent as well as RE investor, unless you're doing un-ethical business.RE agents are licensed by the state, and must ad-hear to NAR standards.

I would start posting the one that generates leads more than the one that doesn't.Guess what, NAR statistics say that upwards of 85% of buyers will stick with the 1st buyers agent they work with.

If you don't believe that, and want to believe the NAR data on "median home prices", good luck.

Tehre is a six year study out there by the NAR showing that something to the effect of 94% of FSBO's eventually end up lisitng with an agent, and listing with an agent can NET you about 11% more than selling FSBO.

If so, then it is not uncommon for the negotiator to want to speak directly to the agent.Currently, the NAR is working with lenders to try and mandate that only licensed agents can negotiate directly.

NAR has been lobbying very hard to make it so only licensee's can negotiate as a third-party.

Listen to this guy - NAR's Economist Lawrence Yun - http://www.realtor.org/research/economists_outlookAppreciation for REIs will never match 2001 - 2007.

Here are some links that NAR put together to explain this in detail: http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_main http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_realtors http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_property_managers http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_property_managers_faq http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_realtors_faq I've been informed that fines for noncompliance range up to $37,500 per day.

Recently the NAR lobbyist once again made a last ditch effort to get the tax credit extended.

I find the NAR/CAR predictions particularly amusing.