Becoming a real estate agent...

Hi ladies! This is my first post as a married lady! I was on liw for awhile. I figure I would join here because I have been having a lot of issues at my current job which I have been at for a lil over 8 years now. I work for a large real estate company in the accounting department. There's been a lot of changes there and my group was merged with another group and I got the boss from hell!! I have been so miserable and dread going to work. I'm a shy and quiet person and don't like drama, just want to do my work and get the job done but my boss has not liked me from day one and my coworkers have even said it. She picks apart my work and is one of those ppl who get happy when they prove you made a mistake. Over the last year three ppl were let go and I was given all there work and when I told my boss I needed help she said okay didn't do anything and wrote me up for the first time ever because work was being delayed...really?!?! . So I need to get out of there! Not only that my company is going to be having this new system and is going to eliminate a lot of people and I think my boss will have me be the first to go out of my department. Soooo...sorry for the long rant but I have always been into real estate and always thought of becoming a realtor. I just held myself back because I didn't think I could do it but I think I need to get over myself. I have the drive and motivation so why not? I cant be shy forever! Can anybody recommend a good school to get my license? And all the other steps I would need to go through?

Re: Becoming a real estate agent...

Anybody??

Becoming a real estate agent...

FM Beth, I know she did a career change to a RE agent and has said before she loves it.

Re: Becoming a real estate agent...

You can feel free to talk to me, too. I went into real estate a few years ago as a career change (I am an attorney and practiced law at a big Manhattan firm). I went into real estate because I always had an interest in it, and I wanted something where I could earn a decent living but have flexible hours and stay local (because of my DS).

I really like real estate -- it's totally different than working as a corporate employee, though. You are pretty much running your own business, so that is not for everyone. The pros are that you have control over how you work, when you work, where you focus your efforts, what type of marketing you do, etc But the flip side is, it's not a salaried job with benefits (you work on commission), and you have to generate your own clients, for the most part (which involves marketing expenditures and other expenses).

Because I am an attorney, I did not have to take the licensing course or exam, so I am less familiar with that aspect of getting into real estate. But you can FM me if you have questions about starting out in real estate in general and what you can expect. I am always happy to help!

Becoming a real estate agent...

There are a number of companies that give the courses on a regular basis and so do community colleges. I think you may need to be sponsored by a real estate broker to take the course, it used to be that way, but that's easy enough. Find a broker who will agree to hold your license once you get it and you are set.

After a year of working full time you can take a course to become a broker.
I was a broker for years and enjoyed it, before becoming a SATM.

As a real estate salesperson working on commission, you will be considered an "independent contractor". You will not be salaried, as Century21Dallow above pointed out. Since it may take time to start bringing in an income selling and renting, it's best to either have some savings to rely on, or have someone to support you while you get started - like a spouse.

If you don't want to go that route, you might look around for another real estate company to work for. A good EA is a valuable asset.

Good luck!

Message edited 3/13/2013 11:55:19 AM.