Do I need a real estate License?

Kansas City,MO. I keep getting mixed messages. I sign contracts with the apartment complexes to become independent contractors for them. I get a fee for referring. Is that ok? If not, how can do it without the license?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:22AM

Nick J.

SFR Investor · Scottsdale, Arizona

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Icon_minipost May 28 '09, 01:01 PM

Whats the name of the famous BBQ place on the KS side, it was an old gas station on the corner. I can' remember the name, a friend of mine picked me up from the airport a few months ago one some business there in KC. I was the speaker for a REI group and had BBQ sauce on my shirt all night. (kinda embarrassing) but great BBQ!!!!

Anyways.................search the forum here towards to the top/right of this page and look up "wholesaling" and "bird dogging"

I'm not sure if you're just finding them tenants or selling apts or finding buyers for apts.

I think you need to be licensed to lease apts if that answers your question.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:22AM by Nick J.

Shanita Parker

Real Estate Investor · kansas city, Alabama

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Icon_minipost May 28 '09, 01:45 PM

I'm not leasing. I'm just a property locator. I get apartment complexes to put an ad on my website. Once i have generated a lead for them they pay me a fee. Oh, you might be talking about Arthur Bryants BBQ.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:22AM

Nick J.

SFR Investor · Scottsdale, Arizona

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Icon_minipost May 28 '09, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by life19

I'm not leasing. I'm just a property locator. I get apartment complexes to put an ad on my website. Once i have generated a lead for them they pay me a fee. Oh, you might be talking about Arthur Bryants BBQ.

ya...........I can't help ya there, I'm not 100% on it.

is Arthur Bryants on the KS side, an old gas station on the corner and half of it is like a convenient store?

there was another BBQ place (a lot nicer) across the street from the KC library on the MO side that was really good, we went there after the gathering. I had to get some of KC's famous BBQ!!! then we got lost on the way to the hotel and there is a locally famous road near downtown with a lot of big 'ol historic homes that we checked out.

anyways, enough of reminiscing, I love KC!! I'd love to go back soon!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:22AM

Shanita Parker

Real Estate Investor · kansas city, Alabama

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Icon_minipost May 29 '09, 12:05 AM

I think you are talking about Gates BBQ. You can find them all over the city.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:23AM

Tony D'Anzica, Esq.

Real Estate Attorney · Syracuse/New York, New York

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Icon_minipost Jun 04 '09, 10:38 PM

You need to contact your State's licensing department and refer to their regulations. Generally, in most states, you must be licensed if: 1) you collect rent from tenants, 2) you physically show apartments for rent or homes for sale, 3) you manage properties for more than one client.

Tony D'Anzica, Esq.
DynaMax Realty, Inc.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:27AM

Ralph S.

Real Estate Investor

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Icon_minipost Jun 04 '09, 11:25 PM

I sign contracts with the apartment complexes to become independent contractors for them. I get a fee for referring. Is that ok? If not, how can do it without the license?

No, advertising doesn't require a license. Can't imagine a world where every newspaper, website, or other publication that advertises RE would need a license. That you receive a fee based upon referrals instead of an upfront advertising fee is a matter for your particular business model, not a matter for licensing. As long as you don't provide any of the real estate services and are not involved with the transactions themselves, you have nothing to fear.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:27AM

Terry Roberts

Real Estate Investor · houston, Texas

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Icon_minipost Jun 13 '09, 04:51 AM

im interested in becoming an apartment locator what kind of contract would you need the apartments to sign and whats your advice on getting starting

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:34AM

Chase T.

30 posts
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Icon_minipost Dec 01 '09, 03:28 AM

Life19,
I know in Illinois you most definitely need a license to be an apartment finder. The only exception here is that if you already rent from the owner or property management company you can accept up to $2000 a year in referral fees. Also, if you are just running a website (like rent.com), I don't think you need one because you are simply a marketing service. If you do talk to the people and are an apartment finding service (you talk to them and hand them off), I think you need to get a brokers license and your cohorts would need standard leasing agent licenses. I'm pretty sure after googleing it, that you would need a license in your state too.

Terry,
Usually you have a rental application that you use. Some rental companies have their own version, and other times you supply your own version. Google a couple of them from your state, and create your own version.

If you are going to do this, my advice would be to get in with an apartment finding agency (they are always hiring agents), and setup an April start date. That gives you enough time for training, and you will be ready for the entire summer renting season.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 10:42AM by Chase T.