@Elizabeth DavisI'm not sure what income goals you have, but You might be a good candidate to work as an unlicensed assistant for a real estate agent whose business is taking off but doesn't have enough time in the day to coordinate all of the scheduling/correspondence.

However, with the right connections and/or websites, you could probably get that (or close to it) anyway.One option, since there are always advantages and disadvantages whether you're licensed or not, is to talk to your husband and see about one of the two of you getting your license while the other remains unlicensed.

If the unlicensed person doesn't control the property or the contract w/ the seller in the proper way, we will let them know what we need to make the deal work.

A licensee on inactive status may not perform the acts of a licensee for a fee for a licensed individual or company or for an unlicensed individual or company.

Someone who is a GC and has many jobs lined up is going to want a much bigger profit margin than someone who is unlicensed, not well known but very skilled at home repairs. 

I discovered that most of the drain plumbing in the basement was an unlicensed job without permits..that's adds up quickly

4) Is $5K a good price from a reputable (probably unlicensed) contractor to knock down one 3 foot wall, two 9 foot walls, reframe, and install tile in the new half bath?

Its the same with Unlicensed PM's who think they can have a master lease and end up running a big PM operation....I had extensive conversations with the DRE investigator in MS over this issue and again he said its just a Ruse and they would shut down anyone without a valid brokers license if it appeared they were just acquiring multiple rentals on leases then releases them as in acting as a PM without a license.The Real Estate industry as a whole needs to help the government crack down on all this unlicensed activity by turning in these unlicensed people... that just try to flip contracts or homes without ever buying them...

Additionally, you will perform all the work with a handyman (ie. unlicensed and uninsured) further opening the cash investor to risk.

A license issued by the IDFPR certifies that the real estate broker has fulfilled all of the  requirements of licensure under the Act. 225 ILCS 454/1-10.As of December 31, 2009, the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 provides for a private right of action when private citizens can seek to stop the unlicensed practice of real estate brokerage. 225 ILCS 454/20-21(c).Other than as provided in Section 5-20 of this Act, if any person practices as a real estate broker, real estate salesperson or leasing agent or holds himself or herself out as a licensed sponsoring broker, managing broker, real estate broker, real estate salesperson or leasing agent under this Act without being issued a valid existing license by the Department, then any licensed sponsoring broker, managing broker, real estate broker, real estate salesperson, leasing agent, any interested party, or anyperson injured thereby may, in addition to the Secretary, petition for relief as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.