Need some solid career advice

Need some solid career advice

Woodbridge, VA · Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 5 votes

Hey BP Community,

I'm 22, recently graduated college and have a couple options to pursue but don't know what trigger to pull. Want to run by a couple scenarios and just looking for some reasonable advice from some knowledgeable people.

1. My temp job/internship just ended so now I'm unemployed. Really close to pulling the trigger and go all in to becoming a RE agent. I have my reasons for becoming an agent (wanting to work in the RE field, former salesman, entrepreneurial mindset, embraces challenges, network, MLS). And I'm thinking becoming a RE agent in the NOVA (Northern Virginia) area is a plus.

2. On the other hand, I really want to move out of this state to somewhere new, like NC, Texas or Florida, but finding a job to start off with is a hassle. Maybe I should save that move for later down the road? I'm just really eager to move. Really eager. 

3. Or maybe I should just try hard to get a regular job that I care about and eventually build up to do some RE investing on the side. I feel like finding an "in the meantime"  job is boring and a waste of time, I don't know. Finding a job even for a college graduate is still hard. That's why I'm considering becoming an agent because it's a job that I will truly care about due to the fact of my passion for real estate and that I'll be starting my own business.   

I know at the end of the day I have to make the decision that I feel is best for me, but ANY feedback is appreciated. Just a young dude trying to be smart about his moves, thank you 

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Investor · San Antonio · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 15 votes
8y
@Michael Dingle congrats on finishing college. I’m not an expert on real estate..... not even a beginner yet. Just started learning about it. However, finishing college back in 2013 and having a solid job has aloud me and my wife to pay of all our debt and start looking into other investments now. I don’t say this to brag but to say that having a job and learning to budget has been a great learning experience. Your ambition and drive is awesome. *** to answer your question*** getting a job that pays your bills and helps you start saving is important. With your drive you will excell at what you do.... even if it’s a “boring job” it will allow you to build up some reserve to start making RE purchases. Then the next, then the next, you can always get your RE license on the side and if you end up working part time transition into RE? Good luck I can’t answer many RE questions but I’m about 5 or so years ahead of you after college and can answer other questions you might have.
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  • Investor · San Antonio · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 15 votes
    8y
    @Michael Dingle congrats on finishing college. I’m not an expert on real estate..... not even a beginner yet. Just started learning about it. However, finishing college back in 2013 and having a solid job has aloud me and my wife to pay of all our debt and start looking into other investments now. I don’t say this to brag but to say that having a job and learning to budget has been a great learning experience. Your ambition and drive is awesome. *** to answer your question*** getting a job that pays your bills and helps you start saving is important. With your drive you will excell at what you do.... even if it’s a “boring job” it will allow you to build up some reserve to start making RE purchases. Then the next, then the next, you can always get your RE license on the side and if you end up working part time transition into RE? Good luck I can’t answer many RE questions but I’m about 5 or so years ahead of you after college and can answer other questions you might have.
  • Residential Real Estate Broker · College Station, TX · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 969 votes
    8y

    @Account Closed. Congratulations on finishing up the degree program. You may never utilize the full aspects of your degree program, but if opens many doors. 

    If you are giving serious thought to becoming a RE Agent, it's not as easy as the great agents make it look. 

    1. Do you have sufficient funds to pay for getting your license. In Texas this might be $1000, or more. You'll also have expenses of joining an MLS Board, acquiring professional gear(Signs, Lock Boxes, etc). Probably easily $3,000 before you even have the opportunity to be in front of clients.

    2. There are online places to get your license. I would suggest you attend classes in a classroom environment to gain the benefit of interaction with the other students, some of which may already be agents taking continuing education. 

    2. Typically, it takes several months (3-6 minimum) to get sales on the books and money in your pocket. 

    3. Need sufficient funds or backup to be able to survive until commission checks start coming in.

    4. Some logic says, if you don't really like where you are now - make the move before starting on a RE Career. The other side of the coin says you probably are more comfortable and know your way around you current home area, as opposed to starting all over from scratch. I would venture your living expenses might be less in any of the areas you mentioned, as opposed to NOVA.

    5. Joining an existing "Real Estate Team" might be a faster way to get up to speed and earn while you learn situation. 

    There are a number of agents on the BP Forum - don't hesitate to ask questions. PM me off list If you want to discuss.     

  • Woodbridge, VA · Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 5 votes
    8y

    @Jacob Morris thanks for the advice, it definitely is good to hear someone who was recently in my shoes. You finished college the year I got in. Getting that job has been the struggle though, but I'm confident that my situation is temporary, thank you

  • Investor · New York City · Member since 2016 · 45 posts · 22 votes
    8y

    Hey man, I was in your position last year and sort of in your position this year. I'm 23 and "funemployed", but want to get back in the real estate space. 

    I'm trying to work on buying my own property first using funds that I'm saving from a job. Basically I'm trying to buy property as soon as I can, so this way, I can develop a track record. I'm still going to REIA meetings and local RE meetups to build my local network.

    Being an agent is tough man. Not sure how much classes will cost you where you are located, but oftentimes, it's many months of no steady income. If you're trying to become an agent, you're going to have a hard time getting a loan since you have no W-2 income (granted, there are ways to workaround this). 

    Good luck to you, brother. Hope everything goes well. 

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