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Just go cold turkey into it....Part time will not allow you to test the waters because it take many years to get a name in the business...The first 3 years are the hardest because you are building your business and the way to become successful is through referrals. In 3 to 5 years time some of the first people who you helped as buyers may be looking for a another home & (if you did a good job) they will call you to help them again. Part time doesn't give you a feel for what the business is like because you will never get enough work from referrals. Sometimes you will get a call in the morning to go show a house asap....If you have a 2nd job you may lose the client because you weren't available.... Before I retired ALL of my business came from referrals...In fact, I still get 25% of every sale from the person I gave my contacts to when I left...Also being in the office, even if you are just starting out, will really help as you observe what other agents do...If you need a paycheck I would suggest you get your license & start calling the successful agents in your area and ask if they need an assistant...Its a great way to get paid while you learn the ropes.
what's your full-time job now, is it a "pure" 40 hr/week commitment, what's your income now (does it pay your bills PLUS all the forseeable real estate bills, PLUS are you funding savings/retirement).
Firstly I wish I could respond to each and everyone here, because the questions posed to me are very good and warrant me to answer.
The reason I want to start part time is because I am will be a beginner, and I want to test it out and get more comfortable and experienced. Rather than jumping head first into.
I should have elaborated in my OP, and stated that I am not trying to get into Real Estate for fun, I will work hard and dedicate myself to it, as I would any job or career.
"Do. Or do not. There is no "try"." Yoda could easily have been talking about real estate.
I'm curious -- what other job out there would let you "test" the job for a couple of years before you decide if it's for you or not? What is the kind of job that allows you to sllloooowwwwly get your feet wet, instead of just expecting you to jump and do it? Yes, each job has a bit of training -- but within a fairly short period of time, unless you are performing, you are let go/fired/reassigned/downsized. EVERYONE wants experience and a certain comfort level. In this business, though, that experience comes through volume, time or both. Usually time, as most newbies don't generate the volume.
Either do it. Or not. Pussyfooting around on the edges of commitment will only frustrate you and just about guarantee failure.
The only other option I would suggest would be to get a job as an assistant to an established real estate agent (or one that is growing quickly, and needs a showing assistant/office assistant). The pay isn't great, usually, but it DOES give you an insider's view of how the business works. But even then -- it's not the same as the adrenaline push you get from having to succeed on your own merits.
In a growing local market, there's plenty of room for hourly paid, part-time assistants who bring real marketing, administrative, and social media skills. That would allow the newbie to get an inside look at how the buying/selling of homes works "behind the curtain". And, amazingly, if they're good at it, it can quickly become a full-time, commissioned team member job. And then, after a couple of years building skills and a network, out on your own.
But the idea that real estate can be dabbled in or is easy, and good money is to be made -that's just folks watching HGTV and the like.
what's your full-time job now, is it a "pure" 40 hr/week commitment, what's your income now (does it pay your bills PLUS all the forseeable real estate bills, PLUS are you funding savings/retirement).
I work for a Campaign Grassroots organization, real estate is another career I'm obviously look at. I am saving in terms of savings, but have not started for retirement. Though I should.
In a growing local market, there's plenty of room for hourly paid, part-time assistants who bring real marketing, administrative, and social media skills. That would allow the newbie to get an inside look at how the buying/selling of homes works "behind the curtain". And, amazingly, if they're good at it, it can quickly become a full-time, commissioned team member job. And then, after a couple of years building skills and a network, out on your own.
But the idea that real estate can be dabbled in or is easy, and good money is to be made -that's just folks watching HGTV and the like.
"Do. Or do not. There is no "try"." Yoda could easily have been talking about real estate.
I'm curious -- what other job out there would let you "test" the job for a couple of years before you decide if it's for you or not? What is the kind of job that allows you to sllloooowwwwly get your feet wet, instead of just expecting you to jump and do it? Yes, each job has a bit of training -- but within a fairly short period of time, unless you are performing, you are let go/fired/reassigned/downsized. EVERYONE wants experience and a certain comfort level. In this business, though, that experience comes through volume, time or both. Usually time, as most newbies don't generate the volume.
Either do it. Or not. Pussyfooting around on the edges of commitment will only frustrate you and just about guarantee failure.
The only other option I would suggest would be to get a job as an assistant to an established real estate agent (or one that is growing quickly, and needs a showing assistant/office assistant). The pay isn't great, usually, but it DOES give you an insider's view of how the business works. But even then -- it's not the same as the adrenaline push you get from having to succeed on your own merits.
Great advice, and your idea is pretty good.
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