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How does the technology work - can we just drop by and get access without calling or requesting a show time? What is the usual method?
If Rachel (wife) gets her license can I work as an agent assistant and get access to properties? What about putting in offers? Would I as an agent assistant be able to get access to houses if we did this - as currently Rachel works full time. We buy mostly REO (vacant) homes. Does that system where you request a timeslot 'preclude' or somehow interface with the eKey app to get access?
How do we go about finding brokerages that would be in line with what we have to offer/etc?
If we disclose early on to a broker that we would like to start our own brokerage down the road would this be a positive/negative, or what?
You need two things to get access to properties... the license and the MLS membership dues. Your biggest expense will be dues and memberships. There are many! And they are not transferable to a partner, in order for you each to have independent access to properties, you both have to have license and membership.
Most REO homes don't require an appointment, they're "vacant - go show" with lockbox. Lockboxes aren't timed access, they're on or not... cooperating with any showing instructions is up to the agent, not the box.
Brokers probably won't care if you think you want to start a brokerage down the road, but I think it's a big premature to even mention it.
No, you cannot just drop by or get access without calling or requesting a showing. Even on REO's the listing agent has an obligation to keep the property "secure." You must request a showing, even if it just means submitting a showing time electronically. Often that will be the only requirement for showings.
To my knowledge showing systems (I'm familiar with Centralized Showing) don't sync up with key systems. There maybe some systems that do sync. Key systems can also be set so that they only operate during certain hours.
Whether an unlicensed assistant can access properties will vary from MLS to MLS and state to state.
Regarding your broker question: On the one hand as a broker I wouldn't want the responsibility for a part-time(no time) agent with an assistant under the circumstances you describe. On the other hand, I know that few people will "make" it under the circumstances you describe thus I'd be happy to make some money off of you until then.
Agent access is specific to one agent. You can't share your key between two people. If your wife works full time why would she get her license and not you?
In my area, showingtime is separate from e-key access - some agents require it, most don't on *unoccupied* properties. Occupied properties require notice & how much notice is required is noted in the Mls "private" data - those are mls fields that only an agent can see (doesn't get published on zillow).
I don't think any state will allow an unlicensed person to show properties, so an "assistant" won't be able to get e-key access anyway (even if the mls allowed it, and they don't). Sharing an e-key is a major fine here.
Assistants couldn't legally prepare an offer in my state, the state considers preparing a contract to be a "limited practice of law", which has a carve-out for licensed people, but not one for their assistants.
Further, at least in my state, if you're the "investor", and you're related to the "agent", you have to disclose that to anyone you do business with.
OP to do what you want, you need a license. Without it you'll be very limited on what you can legally do.
Then with it you'll also have to comply with State Regulations.
You don't want to risk your wife losing her license.
Thanks, that's helpful. Reason we have talked about my wife getting the license, is twofold.
She tends to have a more amiable personality, which may help in certain circumstances. I am a rougher on the edges engineer and sometimes a bit of a doofus when it comes to relationships.
The other reason, has to do with the longer-term division of labor. She works full-time currently, but the longer-term outlook is for her to step away from her full-time job. In that circumstance, her having the license might make more sense, but in the current situation, I'm the one with the more schedule flexibility, so would be using the ability to access properties, put in offers, etc., more actively right now
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