You wrote this to me and I'm very interested. Just was wondering how do I get started? Do I try and find a broker and talk to them?
flipperbaby Posted: November 15, 2005, 7:52 PM
Posts: 493
Joined: June 25, 2005
What about going for your real estate license while you're looking for work. I'm a broker and I pay for any agents to take the course. Many brokers will pay for the course and you can work with them as some sort of an assistant while your getting licensed. It's the only job in the world where you can be a high school drop-out and make 6 figures. The sky is the limit. I know lots of people that aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer who are making between 200k and 300k, Canadian. So that's like $2000 US. Think about it. I can help you with anything you need.
Hey Liz,
In Canada it's probably different than in the US but I'll phone one of my buddies and find out for you. You most likely have to get licensed by your state first. Yes, I believe you can go to a broker first and they'll most likely pay for your course but the ramifications of that is you're tied to that broker. If it's a broker you like though, it doesn't matter. I'll get that info for you and get back to you. I think it's a wonderful decision. You can't go wrong. There are so many other possibilities as well, like, appraisal, property management, mortgage financing etc. You aren't stuck with just the selling.
In Canada it's probably different than in the US but I'll phone one of my buddies and find out for you. You most likely have to get licensed by your state first. Yes, I believe you can go to a broker first and they'll most likely pay for your course but the ramifications of that is you're tied to that broker. If it's a broker you like though, it doesn't matter. I'll get that info for you and get back to you. I think it's a wonderful decision. You can't go wrong. There are so many other possibilities as well, like, appraisal, property management, mortgage financing etc. You aren't stuck with just the selling.
Ok Flipper,
Thank you very much. It would be great to be able to get on my own feet for once. Find out what you can and I too will check into how to get that course to get my license.
Love,
Liz
Thank you very much. It would be great to be able to get on my own feet for once. Find out what you can and I too will check into how to get that course to get my license.
Love,
Liz
Liz, are you in the States.
I am a realtor, and I have NOT done well with it. I've been in 3 years and have yet to make the big bucks, so, I'm going inactive and pursuing a 40 hour work week.
Part of the reason I haven't done well, is because I can't afford to advertise. I don't have a sphere of influence (people that know me and want to use me as a realtor), I was picking up clients off of phone duty.
It is expensive because there are dues that are insane...$300 to be in the board of realtors, then $37 a month to belong to the computerized MLS system, on top of that I have to pay $150 a year for the electronic key that you open homes with and $175 a year for errors and omissions insurance.
I am also honest and don't do things behind my clients backs, like making them pay more for a house so I get a bigger commision. I have spent untold amounts of money in gas, driving people around who either change their minds about buying, cannot qualify for a loan (they are PRE qualified), or spending time and money on people that decide to write a contract with the listing agent. So, I'm done.
Just some food for thought.
I am a realtor, and I have NOT done well with it. I've been in 3 years and have yet to make the big bucks, so, I'm going inactive and pursuing a 40 hour work week.
Part of the reason I haven't done well, is because I can't afford to advertise. I don't have a sphere of influence (people that know me and want to use me as a realtor), I was picking up clients off of phone duty.
It is expensive because there are dues that are insane...$300 to be in the board of realtors, then $37 a month to belong to the computerized MLS system, on top of that I have to pay $150 a year for the electronic key that you open homes with and $175 a year for errors and omissions insurance.
I am also honest and don't do things behind my clients backs, like making them pay more for a house so I get a bigger commision. I have spent untold amounts of money in gas, driving people around who either change their minds about buying, cannot qualify for a loan (they are PRE qualified), or spending time and money on people that decide to write a contract with the listing agent. So, I'm done.
Just some food for thought.
Just rain on my parade Janet, LOL....No, thanks for telling me. I guess I have to consider so much with this huh?
Janet, consider yourself lucky. Our dues are in the $1500 range. Everybody's different. I've seen PHD's plunder and not do any activity for months or years and I've seen many people make excellent livings. Granted, I live in one of the best real estate markets in North America, so it's a bit easier albeit hyper-competitive, but as I said to Liz, you're not limited to selling. Appraisal is a great gig that's quite interesting and you don't have to cold call as well as a decent salary.
There is no job in the world like real estate. Like I said, you can have a 2nd grade education and fit most doctors in your back pocket. Sky's the limit. Of course it's not all rainbows but if you can persevere through the tough times, you can get quite a payback. Make sure when you stop that you shelf your license. Most end up coming back.
There is no job in the world like real estate. Like I said, you can have a 2nd grade education and fit most doctors in your back pocket. Sky's the limit. Of course it's not all rainbows but if you can persevere through the tough times, you can get quite a payback. Make sure when you stop that you shelf your license. Most end up coming back.
Liz to be an appraiser you have to take courses and then pass a test. Every state is different but it could add up to over $1,000 easily.
Ive been doing it for over 15 years but the first couple of years you work as a trainee and since you work on commssion only the money doesnt get good until you get familiar with the job and can do it with some speed.
JD
Ive been doing it for over 15 years but the first couple of years you work as a trainee and since you work on commssion only the money doesnt get good until you get familiar with the job and can do it with some speed.
JD
I do broker price opinions, which are basically appraisals, I think that I am going to eventually get into the appraisal business. When I do those opinions, it is usually a bank repo, and I hate it when the homes are occupied, I feel bad that people are losing their homes, and I never know if I could be in danger. I get paid about $60 for 3 hours of work. But, this has provided an income for me since I went to rehab, I have no desire to go back to work, because I am worried that the stress of trying to compete with a realtor flooded market would trigger me into using again. I thought I was the greatest agent on earth when I was doing coke and working.
Thanks Flipper and JD,
I'll check into the courses. I don't think it would hurt to give it a try. I mean, after all, I'm 39 years old and still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. Time to start something.
I'll check into the courses. I don't think it would hurt to give it a try. I mean, after all, I'm 39 years old and still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. Time to start something.
Liz succeeding in business takes hard work.
1. You need a business plan.
2. Real Estate means your a 1099. Can you afford to basically not make any money for a whole year. If yes? then Real Estate could be for you.
Lots of advantages. You are your own boss. It takes time to build a reputation in your market.
Is there a Market? Do you like dealing with people? Remember besides having a child buying a house is probably the most important decision you make in life.People change there minds constantly. You need to be a shrink as things rarely workout smoooth. So you are basically working a lot of weekends all types of hours but if you can handle this its quite rewarding$$$$
Liz being married to a realtor I have seen it all.
Are you in a situation where there is no presssure for you to immediatly make $$
There are lots of start up costs..But you can write ALL expenses off.
Hope this made sense I am kinda spaced out--LOL--Jeff
1. You need a business plan.
2. Real Estate means your a 1099. Can you afford to basically not make any money for a whole year. If yes? then Real Estate could be for you.
Lots of advantages. You are your own boss. It takes time to build a reputation in your market.
Is there a Market? Do you like dealing with people? Remember besides having a child buying a house is probably the most important decision you make in life.People change there minds constantly. You need to be a shrink as things rarely workout smoooth. So you are basically working a lot of weekends all types of hours but if you can handle this its quite rewarding$$$$
Liz being married to a realtor I have seen it all.
Are you in a situation where there is no presssure for you to immediatly make $$
There are lots of start up costs..But you can write ALL expenses off.
Hope this made sense I am kinda spaced out--LOL--Jeff
Liz, I'll do some research for you. It seems like it's different everywhere. What state are you in?
John D,
Now, in Canada, they require a University degree and a university appraisal course. Crazy. I know it's not like that in the US, yet.The industry is such a joke.
John D,
Now, in Canada, they require a University degree and a university appraisal course. Crazy. I know it's not like that in the US, yet.The industry is such a joke.
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for the input. Well, honestly I'm not in a position to not make money for a year. But then again I've never been in a position to not make money and yet it always seems to work out some how. I guess if it would pay out eventually then it would be worth the wait. I'm not sure though if I could handle the stress though to be honest. So, I would have to seriously think about all that. I don't think I'm that great around people either, so I honestly don't know if this would be the job for me. If I only knew what I want to be when I grow up.....
Thanks for the input. Well, honestly I'm not in a position to not make money for a year. But then again I've never been in a position to not make money and yet it always seems to work out some how. I guess if it would pay out eventually then it would be worth the wait. I'm not sure though if I could handle the stress though to be honest. So, I would have to seriously think about all that. I don't think I'm that great around people either, so I honestly don't know if this would be the job for me. If I only knew what I want to be when I grow up.....
I guess I should have mentioned that to Liz, Im pretty sure we're going to have those same requirements here in the US as you have in Canada, I think its going to be in effect in two years but Im not sure.
The real estate boom has brought a lot of people into the industry, when/if things slow down theres going to be a lot of people dividing up a lot less work.
But if your good, you can make it work for you anytime.
good luck
JD
The real estate boom has brought a lot of people into the industry, when/if things slow down theres going to be a lot of people dividing up a lot less work.
But if your good, you can make it work for you anytime.
good luck
JD
Liz big time stress---If your in a office you must be a SHARK a Killer.
Liz just an idea you would be surprised how many people own busineses that guess what? they are addicts who go to meetings.Network at the meetings. Seek some of the oldtiimers who tend to know evreything about evreybody. Best way to find job --IMO
Do you have a resume? With a cover letter?---Networking is the best way to find a job.
Checkout your chamber of commerace they have meetings--Woman groups--Etc.
Good Luck--Jeff
Liz just an idea you would be surprised how many people own busineses that guess what? they are addicts who go to meetings.Network at the meetings. Seek some of the oldtiimers who tend to know evreything about evreybody. Best way to find job --IMO
Do you have a resume? With a cover letter?---Networking is the best way to find a job.
Checkout your chamber of commerace they have meetings--Woman groups--Etc.
Good Luck--Jeff
All good points. Obviously you have to talk to people and find out if it's something you think you can excell at. I'll do research for you and I'll email you in the next few days. Don't close any doors yet. I'll try to send you as many options as possible. It faired well for me. As far as not knowing what you want to be when you grow up, I don't know many people who do know, except for myself.........a shepherd.
I don't know still what I want to do far as a career. All I know is I want to go back to school. I'm thinking of going either for a Nurse, which I'm not sure if that's a smart move for me being that I'm an addict. Or, Taking early childhood development and try to become an Elementary teacher. Which is probably what I will do. I can see me enjoying working with young kids. I was a monitor for a few years at a school and I loved interacting with the kids.
I could never be a teacher, I just don't have the patience.
I'm trying to find a job within the court system, I have a Paralegal certificate, I applied at the city court, but unfortunately with the Katrina evacuees here, they give them first dibs.
I am going to start looking actively after the first of the year. With the holidays and moving, I have a feeling that I will be busy enough. But I keep an eye on the help wanted section and apply if something interests me.
I'm trying to find a job within the court system, I have a Paralegal certificate, I applied at the city court, but unfortunately with the Katrina evacuees here, they give them first dibs.
I am going to start looking actively after the first of the year. With the holidays and moving, I have a feeling that I will be busy enough. But I keep an eye on the help wanted section and apply if something interests me.
wow that's cool you have a paralegal certificate. You can make a lot of money if you can get a job. Good luck to you. I imagine with the Holidays and new home you will be busy for awhile. I hate moving and having to unpack. That's a lot of work in itself. Would love to move into a nice new house though. I live in a trailer and it never seems like enough room here even though it's a good size trailer.
