Welcome to BP NATION you made a wise decision joining us we gonna help you out bro

You have to investigate and make the decision for yourself.

However; in relation to the title to your post, it's completely incorrect, as the guy obviously wasn't a contractor, so a better title would have been Cons ....  

Other parts of the country are less conservative and you'd find people that wouldn't work with you as a realtor if you showed up in a 3 year old E-class because it meant you weren't successful enough.The questions about my vehicles are enough that it will impact my decision on my next personal vehicle.  

They are invaluable in order to learn how the numbers work and will potentially keep you from making a bad decision.

@Logan Sherwood-- Yes, you need the license if you are making any decisions on behalf of the owner.

Would be interested in knowing how others (particularly those based on the west coast) made their decisions.  

So if he wants to go to HD for 2x4's vs. the local lumber yard then that is his decision.

Someone please let me know if I am incorrect on this.

I would suggest your decision to join a REIA is similar to buying a new vehicle.