Also your debt to income ratios become important and time at a job in a specific industry to show stability.  

Travel Nursing is a huge industry that is not going away and will be growing for years to come as  You could land on some very unique ways to take advantage of your unique situation.  

Add in the cost for the course, the license, joining the local MLS and Associations of Realtors, and your monthly desk fees, etc. you'll have lost money rather than saved by getting a commission.To rant for a bit, "part-time" agents are a really big problem for the real estate industry because too many amateurs get their license and sell 1 home a year for their friends and family and usually deliver extremely sub-par service.

It is an industry that requires time to learn.

The real estate industry has always intrigued me, so I am joining the site to learn from and network with experienced real estate industry professionals.

Knowing that you may influence some to succeed honorably, in their community in an industry that is full of sharks is better than money, at least to me, I have money, so it's the satisfaction. 

I can really relate to what he was saying, and having him there convinced me that it's possible to Fight The Good Fight in the Real Estate industry.

Getting my feet wet in understanding the industry and learning how to properly handle deals is something I look forward to learning and becoming more fluent in. 

Property managers may not spend a lot of time with you (you are only one of their many clients), but self management can also require you to spend a lot of time learning the industry and operations.

I'm no expert, but I know asphalt is usually cheaper than concrete.