Working as a Realtor and being in the Air Force Reserves (agent, listings)

[Imasellit]

I am in my last week of real estate school, planning to test next week and wanting to work full-time and build a lucrative career in this business. I've already decided on a broker and he has been working to help train me prior to my class.

I'm 42 and excited. I know this is likely to take years as I build my reputation and gain experience and begin to see referrals and repeat business. I'm not naive in my thinking - I realize I am verily likely to go months at first with no income, and I know the statistics about income ranges, averages, and the high drop-out rates.

My question is this: I am in the last year of eligibility to join the Air Force Reserves as a nurse. It seems this would be impossible to do and have a successful career in real estate, as weekend work can be the busiest and the time when your clients are most likely to be available to see properties.

Does anyone out there do real estate AND serve in the reserves? Do you have advice?

FYI: I am not the primary income earner in my family & it's not that I currently need the benefits the military offers. It would be for long-term retirement income and benefits when I'm older, as my husband's retirement date will be well before I am eligible for Medicare because of our age difference. Plus they're offering a sweet incentive to join right now ($45,000 pre-tax). My concern is being away 25% of the weekends per year and the 2 weeks.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

[NinaN]

You can make it work. Team up with another agent in your officer. Agree to cover for each other on weekends and vacations. Or set up a payment method for getting help when gone...$ for each showing, $$ for writing up contracts, etc.

Use a good transaction coordinator.

[MikeJaquish]

I agree with Nina.

You can make it work, in a cooperative office, as long as support for you is not a one way street. You give a little and get a little.

[ehamill]

I assume that means you have 2 years of service experience? If not, the cut off, I believe, is 39. If you have past service, it used to be 40 years plus your length of service (or at least was last year when I considered getting back in to the Service).

Anyone who is not willing to work with you over your service is not someone I would want to work with! Due what your heart tells you and what is best for your family!

[Silverfall]

We have a very successful real estate agent in my area that is in the reserves. He tends to focus on new construction and listings and doesn't work with many buyers. I think he is gone once a month for his reserve duties. I've done transactions with him and he lets you know well in advance that it is his reserve weekend. It isn't a big deal.