Finally registered for my Real Estate classes

[etwinchester]

I've been thinking about becoming a Real Estate agent for 2 years now but kept putting it off.

Last May, a friend worked as an Administrative Assistant for a company but was leaving due to having child number 3. She knew I was looking into ithe career line and asked if I would be interested in her position in the meantime working 2 days a week. Gave me something to do while DD started kindergarten (full time) and also gave me a good feel for what I've been doing. I was hired right away since I was referred. It is a family oriented company and they are so lenient with me coming in late so I can get DD on the bus and leaving early if I have to. I totally love it and I also get vacation and holiday pay as well (totally shocked since I only work 2 days a week).

Now I'm thinking it was God's way of getting my butt in gear. I mean, how many jobs actually come to you when your not even looking.

Well, just last week, I decided to stop putting things off and registered for my classes, which I will start the end of May. I'm not too worried about doing the schooling. Passing the exam is what I'm most fearful of. Everyone said how hard it is. I know getting started is going to be tuff as well. Any advice would be welcomed...

Anyway, just wanted to share my excitement on getting my butt in gear. If for some reason the RE career doesn't work out, I can get into another line or work within the company (mortgages, settlements or possibly being Admin. Assist. again). I really love this company and everyone I work with so that makes coming to work a whole lot easier.

 

[golfgal]

DH had to take the real estate classes for his job but didn't work as an agent. When he took the test it took him about 15 minutes and went to bring the test to the instructor. She said "oh, was the test too hard, sometimes that happens" very condescending. DH (who can do Calculus in his head) said "no, I'm done". The instructor said that just wasn't possible. DH told her to grade the test then, he passed with 100%.

I wouldn't worry about the test too much, unless you are like me and math is a fairly foreign concept .


I want to get into real estate appraising. I have done some basic background information about it but we are waiting to see if we move or not before I start.

 

[etwinchester]

Thanks.

I know that the final RE exam (not the class test) is on the computer.

National portion they allow you 2 hours to complete and state portion they allow you 1 hour. I just heard that many people fail the state portion. Oh well, I'll just study hard and pray!!!

 

[ChristmasElf]

It also depends on the state you live in. Florida and California are 2 of the hardest states to pass the RE exam in.
God Luck on whatever you decide to do.

 

[Hillbeans]

Last january I signed up for classes and they went for 10 weeks - 2 nights a week. I was also newly pregnant at the time.

I passed my NJ test in April on the first try. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't too tough. It was hard working FT at my regular job and doing the class, but i'm glad I did - it was interesting.

I'm a referral agent only, so DH and I will get $$$ for our own own real estate transactions.

Best of luck to you.

 

[etwinchester]

Last january I signed up for classes and they went for 10 weeks - 2 nights a week. I was also newly pregnant at the time.

I passed my NJ test in April on the first try. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't too tough. It was hard working FT at my regular job and doing the class, but i'm glad I did - it was interesting.

I'm a referral agent only, so DH and I will get $$$ for our own own real estate transactions.

Best of luck to you.

Congrats to you! That would be tough working FT and going to classes.

My classes are Tuesday & Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. I work part-time on Monday & Fridays. At least I can keep this job until I pass, then it would be a conflict. It will give me a little extra money to get started and invest in a new computer as well.

 

[agotta]

Congratulations! I run a real estate school in Northern Virginia. Good luck with everything!

 

[Michie]

 

[etwinchester]

Thank you everyone.

For those who are agents, do you have a list of some of the expense categories you use?

I'm setting things up in Quicken and looking for some categories that I will need to use (advertising, office equipment, supplies, etc.)

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

The exam in Texas is hard, but I managed to pass it the first time. You can too!

School became addictive for me, too. After my RE license, I got my mortgage loan officer's license, my GRI and my ABR. Now, I'm 10 hours shy of my appraiser's license. Now, I'm trying to get some years behind me, so that I can teach contracts courses. I can't even begin to tell you how poorly written some of the offers I get, are. It's sad.

Last night, DH calls me in the bedroom because he has a bright idea. He wants me to get my inspector's license and help him with his business. I'd consider it if the hours weren't around 900. It would take me forever!

As far as setting up your accounts, I would use Quickbooks. There are pre-set accounts in there already. You can tweak them if needed and add new ones. You won't know what you need, until you start spending money on expenses.

I set up main accounts, such as advertising, and had sub categories under it, such as direct mail, newsletters, etc. This way I could track how much I was spending and if it was paying off with new business.

 

[etwinchester]

Thanks for your help. I'm sure I'll end up taking additional classes as well. The more you know, the more helpful it is and the more valuable you are.

I already purchased Quicken last year though so I'd hate to spend more money on another. Is Quickbooks really that different?

Quicken does have categories already listed as well, but I'm making one called: Business - Real Estate with the sub-categories under it as well. Guess I'll just make them up as I go. I was just looking for some of the definate ones (office supplies, advertising, education, etc...)

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Thanks for your help. I'm sure I'll end up taking additional classes as well. The more you know, the more helpful it is and the more valuable you are.

I already purchased Quicken last year though so I'd hate to spend more money on another. Is Quickbooks really that different?

QB's is just geared more for running a business. Quicken can be used too, it just can't run the reports that Quickbooks can. QB's is just more comprehensive.

If I were you, as soon as it's affordable, I'd take your GRI courses. You'll learn so much in them and you're typically surrounded by seasoned agents. Just listening to the back and forth that goes on, you'll pick up a lot of great information.

Once you get too busy, it'll be hard to take the time to get the classes completed. You should have seen my classes; as soon as we'd get a break, everyone would crack out their cell phones and desperately try to complete business calls while we could!

The ABR was a bunch of rehashed stuff, IMO. I got the designation so that I could get referrals. I can't say I walked away with any great knowledge.

 

[dvcgirl]

Thanks.

I know that the final RE exam (not the class test) is on the computer.

National portion they allow you 2 hours to complete and state portion they allow you 1 hour. I just heard that many people fail the state portion. Oh well, I'll just study hard and pray!!!

I took it in NJ...fear not etwinchester...it's not bad at all. Just read the book and you'll be fine.

 

[etwinchester]

Ok, don't mean to sound dumb, but...what is GRI?

ABR is Associate Broker...

Which version of quickbooks is recommended (simple, pro)? I just thought I wouldn't need it since I don't need to print invoices or track inventory.

 

[malibuconlee]

I took it in Iowa last year. It wasn't too bad. I took the 60 hour class over three weekends. Definitely the way to go for me. Then I took the test about 2 weeks later.

We got a CD-ROM with questions that came with our books. I found it to be a great tool for studying.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Ok, don't mean to sound dumb, but...what is GRI?

ABR is Associate Broker...

Which version of quickbooks is recommended (simple, pro)? I just thought I wouldn't need it since I don't need to print invoices or track inventory.

Not dumb at all! GRI is the designation you earn as a Graduate, Realtor® Institute. ABR is a designation you earn as an Accredited Buyer's Representative. The GRI is earned thru NAR, and the ABR is earned through REBAC.

You could get away with the basic QB. Actually, Quicken will work fine for you. I wouldn't go buy new software for this.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I took it in Iowa last year. It wasn't too bad. I took the 60 hour class over three weekends. Definitely the way to go for me. Then I took the test about 2 weeks later.

We got a CD-ROM with questions that came with our books. I found it to be a great tool for studying.

60 hours? Texas has over 300 hours. I wish I could have completed mine that fast.

 

[etwinchester]

Thanks. Pa is 60 hours (total) as well for an Agent.

I'm glad that Quicken will work just fine. Don't need invoices, inventory, etc...

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Tracey, here's a good forum for agents: http://www.agentsonline.net/

It has your typical jerks on it, but they're not too hard to spot and avoid.

 

[Mari annie]

I live in MA and last Feb I took a weekend course (yes it's offered in MA)
Sat/Sun 12 hours a day. Long days.
I was really gung ho on going from pt Nanny/ft mom/housewife to selling homes in MA.
After going to a couple of chain* real estate companies I learned they try to sell* you a marketing tool ( I have 2 degrees one happens to be in Marketing)
for 2500.00! I was doing this to make money, and I would of had to pay up front. In MA I have two years to take the test.
I am really soured over my experience in going into chain* real estate companies, it's all about making money for them, there's very little support given to the agents and it's about bringing money in for the franchise any way they can get it.

I am eventually moving to FL (at least for the winter) and already sent for all the information, MA real estate liceses are non transferable to FL
So, I am thinking now to just forget this. I am more interested in selling real estate in FL anyway. More money to be made on leisure properties.
And there's alot more of a disposable income for 2nd and 3 homes in the vacation capitol!
The market here is bad now.
So, I am still doing Nanny work and Full time mom, I need some guarenteed income coming in so I can keep traveling back and fourth to FL!!!LOL!

Has anyone else experienced anything like this---these marketing tools* these franchises try selling you, it's not a choice here, they make you do it.
How about FL?