Full Time Employee Wanting to Start in Real Estate

Full time Realtor AND a new mother? Whoa! I'm a full time Realtor and I've been doing it for 5 years now. In those 5 years I've had two babies and both times I had a baby my business took a serious dip because I was spending more time taking care of kids and myself than my business (which is how it goes and what you need to be doing). It dipped even more with my second child, because I had 3 people I was caring for.

I agree with Tiffany - don't believe the pitch the brokers are giving you. People are dropping out of RE like flies right now because the market has tanked. It is hard enough to be successful your first year out in a GOOD market, but in this market? I can only imagine. I haven't had to supplement my income just yet, but I'm one of the lucky few at this point.

The brokers need new agents so they can pay the bills. They're trying to get new people in the door because agents who have been in the business for several years are taking jobs with salaries and benefits (two things we don't get).

If you can hold off and not take the plunge just yet, I certainly would.

If you would like to talk more in depth, just send me a note and I'd be happy to chat with you.

J.

The school $$$, then continuing ed $$$, licence $$$, annual fees$$$, getting started... OUCH! signs, lock boxes, biz cards, MLS Key, MLS fee, admin. fees, flyers, prom material, Annual Realtor fee,
Lets just say... 1st year about 2-5K just getting started.
Annualy after that... about $1500.00 plus con. ed

I have to agree with all the others, I was pg when I started the school, then I got my licence once I had my daughter. Trying to balance is the hardest thing in my life. People call you on the fly and you best be ready, cause they have NO patients, for you to get a sitter......They are calling the next realtor to show them the house. Once you do get a client you spend lots of time on the computer looking for their new home, driving them around looking at houses. You call them the follwing day to see what they thought,... oh, we signed a contract last night.... OMG You want to freak out on them. Then that contract does not go thru and they are calling you back.. Where is the love.
Like the others have told you this biz is a DOG EAT DOG world, they teach ethics... They are so un ethical, then you learn to report these un ethical things that have happened and their broker just laughs at you. If you are agressive and have tough skin, I would go part time. But do be prepared to play ball with the BIG boys. Best of luck in your decision.

Maybe you could try easing into the real estate business by going part time at first. One of my friends got her license and joined a real estate company full time and was commission only. She ended up leaving that job after just a few months to get a traditional full time job. Part of the reason she left was because she jumped in without having any kind of prior real estate experience and didn't have a person to help guide her.

I don't want to scare you, but having another baby is going to put a lot of stress on you, especially if you are trying to sell houses to get commission. If there is any way to go part time at first, I'd try it. Then you might be able to build up a network after you get those first few houses down and it won't be as stressful when the new baby is here. Good luck whatever you choose!

Not to scare you but I a have been supplementing my income for the last 15 months after being in full time real estate for 10 yrs, the market is incredibly tough right now and the commission only is not an option for us currently. It's very difficult to get started in a good market and no matter what the brokers 'sell you on' it's NOT an easy market and won't be for a good 18 months yet- there will be a swing but it's going to be a long road back up- unless you have a solid COI (center of influence- group of solid contacts who are ready to buy or sell right now) then you will be in that up hill battle as well. I can tell you things certainly change when the second baby comes and it doesnt matter what profession you are in. You might get your license and take advantage of all the training you can get while continuing in your current position- if you find your contacts allow you to take off in the RE world all the better, but best not to give up your 'day job' and then get into a cash flow issue especially with a baby on the way. I am a 'tell it like it is' person and I wouldnt encourage ANYONE to get into RE right now! Hope that helps you think things thru!

I personlly would discourage it.
I started out as a new agent before i ys before my 1st chold was born. It is a strickly commission job. And a Whole Lot of start up fees once you decide who your going to work for.
It might be a good 6 months or a yr before you get yor first buyer or seller transaction and then its usually another 2-3 months before you actually get your money and you really only get 1.5% of the whole transaction once everybody else gets their cut. So it was very hard for me. I happened to have a live in boyfriend at the time who paid the rent and all the utilities until I made anything.
Now if you know a builder thats another story.
There are other way to put your license to use though.
You could work for a "Team" an established group who have been doing this for years and have a huge client base and maybe start off doing their office work and still talking to clients and have the Owner of the Group pay you an hourly wage.

Im really not dissing this profesion I just think it is very hard with little ones. Buyers always want to see houses NOW!
and your beeper and or pager is Never off your body.

Just a few thoughts . You can always call me or email my personal email and ask for my number for my full experience
I was licensed for 6 years in Ks & MO.

T.

Hey D.,
Just checking in to see how it is going. Did you do the real estate thing? Just wondiering. I have an at-home business that I have signed up a few realtors and lending professionals in lately to supplement their income from this horrible market. I was also in the real estate field before it went dry. Anyway, I love what I do and I'd love to share it with you. Check out my website at www.wahu2day.com and/or email me at ____@____.com forward to chatting with you!

I'm not in real estate but do have some experience in the self employment area...

It is much better to Keep a dependable source of income (even if it is part time) and do the Real Estate as a second business to build on...this way you learn as you go. Right now you have no idea how much money you can make, or how often you can make it, much less how hard it will really be to meet new clients and make arrangements for your kids while you show homes....after a while of working this you will have a much better idea of what to expect...and if you have enough income or not. There are amazing benefits to staying home with your children, but sometimes it is just not an option. I hope it works out.