Real estate related job?

Question

I'm in college right now, learning on my own about real estate. I don't have a job right now, so I'm trying to find something that I could both make money in and develop real estate related skills that would be useful to me when I become an investor.

What sort of options do I have?

In the linked thread, Brandon Turner mentioned becoming an investors "right hand man." How would I go about finding an investor that I could help?
https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/85481-real-estate-related-job

There is also an internship here to become a property manager. That wouldn't provide enough income, but would that help develop the right skills I would need?

Mark Ferguson · Answer

An agent/broker assistant does not require a degree and they pay as well as may offer commission opportunities.

You could be an assistant for any person in the Real Estate world.  I would call agents you see in local paper, online or in magazines with the most listings.  Ask them if they need help or know of someone who does and see what happens.  You could also call property managers, but they probably won't pay as much or offer the commission bonus for selling houses if you get your license.

Anson Young · Answer

I've done many odd jobs while paying my dues.

Realtor assistant - I learned comps, contracts, transactions, short sales, etc
Field guy/runner - I learned condition of the property, estimating repairs, why to bring a gun with me
Asset manager - Lots and lots about how inefficient banks are internally
Transaction coordinator - REO, how REO listing agents work

Basically, anything I could do to get in the door, and work it from there.

Trent Begay · Answer

I would have to agree with Mark as being an assistant or getting that internship as your best chance.

In my state without a real estate license you can only manage one property for somebody else and cant get paid any commission off rent or new tenants as that would be practicing real estate without a license. So I would also check out some of the laws pertaining to that in your area as it may limit your opportunities as well. [However there are still options if that is the case like managing for a out of state investor that needs a local manager].

I do recommend some real estate education when you do get the time though! I'm sure you will agree with me when you finish that it is worth it!

Most of the positions I mentioned above require an average 6 months of education at most with spread out curriculum [I had my classes twice a week for a semester]. Here in AZ you can actually get you license in 2 weeks but at the cost of grueling 10 hour days for those 2 weeks. [I wouldn't recommend]

But if you need any advice you know where to find me!

Justin Foster · Answer

Trent Begay, you're absolutely right. My biggest problems are lack of time and lack of experience.

I need to start getting and income very soon, so I don't have time for a lot of possible options like studying to become a real estate agent.

The property manager position I mentioned is only an internship, because the actual property manager positions I saw required a 4 year college degree.

Are any of the positions you listed not blocked by these two obstacles?

Trent Begay · Answer

I'm in pretty much the same boat you are Justin.

I just ended up taking courses to get my real estate license and I think that route was awesome as I had a commercial broker and investor as my instructor, taught me tons! Gave me specific knowledge i needed, plus an overview of the real estate business as a whole.

However if that route is a little too rough or time consuming I think any job in real estate will leave you with something! Property management is a great route to go.

The only real obstacle i think is education, a lot of real estate opportunities require specific knowledge or powers that require licensure. However many of those requirements don't take too long and a great way of starting in investing is to invest in yourself.

I took my real estate education toward my college degrees elective requirements and basically the license was just a bonus.

I would try
-Real estate agent
-Property manager
-Appraiser
-Agent/broker assistant
-Financial planner 
-Mortgage broker or assistant
-Working with your state real estate department/Assessor's office

Mark Ferguson · Answer

Anson,
I didn't know you were an asset manager.  If you don't mind, who did you work for?

Real estate related job?

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