College Help - Real Estate

[outstandinfarmer]

College Help - Real Estate
I am in college right now. I HATE IT, but I still do quite well in it. I go to a public university. Anyway, is anyone in real estate? I have an aunt who is VERY sucessful in it. I need to talk to her about it, but I haven't goitten around to it. (As soon as you talk to people in my distant family about things, it goes all around the country and everyone knows, and it's hard to explain, but we try not to share all of our things with our relatives--we love them, but when asking them for life advice, it can make you uncomfortable) I was wondering what I should do to get into it. My school doesn't offer any kind of education in it nor does any school in my area. I can go take a class and get my license, but what other education do I need?

Is the license enough, or should I continue with a degree in college?

I haves sales in my blood. I think it's not something you can learn, but a way you are. My mother is in sales and does INCREDIBLY well and is making A LOT of money now.

What are all the steps I need to take to get into real estate? Should I get the license and use the income from it to work my way through college? If I want to get into it, what degree should I pursue in the mean time?

Also, does the average real estate agent make good money? I want a career that if something should happen I can take care of myself and my family without a man's help. It's something I have been taught since I was little and it's important for me to be independent (Even though my dream job is to be a house wife )

 

[cheeringmom]

Move to northern Virginia. The agents are busting with people overbidding on their homes. My friend has 13 contracts pending. A house goes up and the price wars begin. Less then 24 hours it has a contract. But don't quit college. Who knows what the markets will do. Good luck

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that quitting college is not the best course of action. Maybe an agent will weigh in here but my guess is that a strong business background would be the way to go. You say you enjoy sales. At this point, why limit yourself to just real estate as an option? Get the background that will allow you to pursue other avenues as well. But, I encourage you to look into real estate if you have any interest.

You may want to look in your local newspaper at the real estate agency listings. Many of them offer seminars for potential salespeople. I just noticed that a real estate company in my area even offered an on-line simulation and evaluation. You may very well find someone at one of the agencies willing to discuss a career in real estate with you and able to make suggestions on steps you can take. After all, most agents earn their living talking! You might want to consider working part-time (as a receptionist, etc.) at an agency either summers or during the school year to get a feel for what goes on.

Real estate is a 24/7 business. You take a lot of people around who may not even intend to buy anything. It is also dependent upon where and what you are selling and how well the economy is doing. Some people are wildly successful and others do struggle and eventually leave the business. Contacts are the key.

 

[Beth76]

If you don't feel comfortable talking with your aunt I would suggest talking with a local agent. I looked into this about a year ago. The person I talked to was very helpful and very willing to give me the info I wanted. My community newspaper also has ads for real estate seminars, so definitely check that out.

As far as quitting college, I would be hesitant to do that. I couldn't tell you what a good degree would be to help back up your real estate certification. I have a degree in Interior Design and feel that will help me when I do decide to go to work in real estate. Definitely not suggesting that for you, as it is a very specialized degree. Something business oriented would be better, I'm sure.

The reason I chose not to pursue this career path (at this time) is because it does cost of bit of money to get started. I am a SAHM and was considering having another baby. So we decided it would be best to wait until after our family was complete and our kids were in school before I went back to work. But, I was very excited of the prospect of it and am looking forward to pursuing that career when I'm ready to go back to work.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[missypie]

1. Stay in college.
2. Early this summer, find the phone number or web site of your state's licensing agency and find out what they require for a license. Often, college courses count toward a RE license.
3. Take a business contracts course. Most residential real estate brokers THINK they know contracts, but they really just know how to fill out a form. I'm a real estate lawyer, and I'd say that half of the residential contracts I see are unenforcable.
4. Take classes in management, accounting and finance, so you can run your own company some day.
5. Take classes in decorating so you can advise people on how to redo their homes before you start to sell them.

Good luck!