Starting out in the Real Estate Industry
Real Estate Agent · Fayetteville, AR · Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 0 votes
Starting out in the Real Estate Industry
Most Popular Reply
Real Estate Broker · Coppell, TX · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
4yPersonally I don't think being an agent is a great path to being a developer.
If you want to be a developer....you are in a great city....Dallas. Lots of very smart, long lasting developers here. I would start working for one of them...summers, holidays, spring break...and if possible remotely during school.
What can you do today to offer them value?
Take as many real estate, legal, civil engineering, structural engineering, and finance classes as you can. I would also take some kind of political classes...as lots of development has to do with how well you fit into the vision of what the politicians want to see done for their city. If you can't work for a developer during the school year, I would see if you can get some kind of internships with city government where you are. Planning and zoning, city council members, economic development board, council of governments, homeless coalitions, etc. You should do this all 3 years you plan to be there......go getters get college done in 3 years....dont be the average 4 year or slacker 5 year student. Get busy and get it done.
Some of the top developers in DFW are Blue Star--Jerry Jones of Cowboy fame, Craig Hall, Jim Lake, Hillwood- Ross Perot, Jr...Hunt Real Estate....Jonas Wood...Trammel Crow Company...Monte Anderson and plenty others.
Maybe tough to do during school, but you might also see if you can write for REDNews and attend as many of their conferences and meetings as you can.
Good luck and best wishes.
6 Replies
- Real Estate Broker · Dallas, TX · Member since 2016 · 248 posts · 240 votes4y
Hey Jacob! I think it depends on where you want to end up. Do you want to sell real estate? Be an investor? Development? I don’t know much about the last one. Also are getting some type of degree associated with real estate? These are some of the things you should think about. If I could go back to 18 I would get my degree in something that I liked but mainly helped me make as much money as possible (like software development) then I would take that money and be laser-focused on investing in real estate. (You could possibly retire or live the life you want by 40) Since you already have your license, maybe you are looking to do something different. Hope this helps! Good luck buddy!
- Investor · Austin TX · Member since 2018 · 151 posts · 165 votes4y
Hey @Jacob Davis! Super exciting all around man! I'd definitely recommend working as an agent while you're in school - find a rockstar agent in the Fayetteville area, and offer to work for them for free and hustle. Even though you don't have any work experience you can offer your drive and energy and take on tasks that they don't like doing. Learn everything you can from them while adding ton of value to their business. Then once you've added value to them, you'll begin to start making money from all the resources and knowledge that they've given you. That will put you in an awesome position to start investing yourself regardless of what you choose to study at University. Best of luck and hope this helps!
- Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes4y
Quote from @Jacob Davis:
Hi, I'm looking to explore a career in real estate as an agent and maybe one day be involved in investing or land development. I'm from Dallas TX and recently got my Arkansas Real Estate License due to the fact that I'll be attending the University of Arkansas this fall. I'm 18 with little to no work experience and I don't know what path I should take in getting started. I have reviewed the options of working as an individual agent, working under an agent, and finding a job in development or investing. Does anyone have advice from past experience or recommendations of what they think would best fit my situation?
Thanks
Here's the harsh truth: over 85% of all real estate agents quit within two years. It's easy to get into, but tough to earn a living. The other difficulty is that you are 18 years old with no life experience and no real estate experience. It's hard to sell people on a home when you've never owned one yourself.
My recommendation is that you look to join a team. This is where multiple people work together to buy/sell homes. One is the "face" on the cards, billboards, etc. They are usually the sales person that can bring in the business. Another may be responsible for phone calls. Another handles the paperwork and tracking schedules. By joining a team, you can learn and gain experience much faster before attempting on your own.
The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews - Real Estate Broker · Coppell, TX · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes4y
Personally I don't think being an agent is a great path to being a developer.
If you want to be a developer....you are in a great city....Dallas. Lots of very smart, long lasting developers here. I would start working for one of them...summers, holidays, spring break...and if possible remotely during school.
What can you do today to offer them value?
Take as many real estate, legal, civil engineering, structural engineering, and finance classes as you can. I would also take some kind of political classes...as lots of development has to do with how well you fit into the vision of what the politicians want to see done for their city. If you can't work for a developer during the school year, I would see if you can get some kind of internships with city government where you are. Planning and zoning, city council members, economic development board, council of governments, homeless coalitions, etc. You should do this all 3 years you plan to be there......go getters get college done in 3 years....dont be the average 4 year or slacker 5 year student. Get busy and get it done.
Some of the top developers in DFW are Blue Star--Jerry Jones of Cowboy fame, Craig Hall, Jim Lake, Hillwood- Ross Perot, Jr...Hunt Real Estate....Jonas Wood...Trammel Crow Company...Monte Anderson and plenty others.
Maybe tough to do during school, but you might also see if you can write for REDNews and attend as many of their conferences and meetings as you can.
Good luck and best wishes.
- Real Estate Agent · Fayetteville, AR · Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 0 votes4y
I really appreciate all the different opinions I receieved, they have been very helpful thank ya'll!
- Rental Property Investor · Russellville, AR · Member since 2014 · 684 posts · 509 votes4y
Great plan @Jacob Davis! NWA is beautiful in the fall! Because you have no experience (and more importantly, admit it) I would look at joining a team. You probably wouldn't have to say things like "I'll work for free if you teach me" because it will be in their best interest to do teach you anyway. A positive and humble attitude will get you in the door and work ethic will keep you there.
Good luck! Hit me up if you ever swing down to Russellville!
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