Newly Licensed in Lincoln Park

Member since 2022 · 2 posts · 3 votes

Hi BP Chicago community! I have just passed my real estate exam. I originally pursued the license as a means of getting a start in real estate and eventually pursuing my own real estate investment opportunities as I earn income and learn more about the industry. However, I am having a difficult time finding employment in the industry that doesn't require me to already have years and years of experience in the field or for me to pay a couple of thousand dollars to start my own real estate venture with a brokerage. I'm open to any suggestions the community may have.

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Investor-friendly agents in Lincoln, NE

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John Warren

Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes

@Isaac Wescott welcome to the forums!

Having your real estate license is definitely different than finding a traditional job. You have to constantly invest into your business in order to find success. There is prospecting, marketing, ongoing training, technology, and more that you need to have some money set aside for to really get going.

I think the alternative is to join a team so you can get some real-world experience. Especially in the city, there are quite a few teams you can get started with. You get a much smaller piece of the commission, but you get to learn which is the important part.

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John Warren
Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
@Isaac Wescott welcome to the forums!
Having your real estate license is definitely different than finding a traditional job. You have to constantly invest into your business in order to find success. There is prospecting, marketing, ongoing training, technology, and more that you need to have some money set aside for to really get going.
I think the alternative is to join a team so you can get some real-world experience. Especially in the city, there are quite a few teams you can get started with. You get a much smaller piece of the commission, but you get to learn which is the important part.
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Hamp Lee IIIPro Member
Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 832 votes
3y
I also recommend finding a brokerage that doesn't have a lot of monthly fees and transaction-based commissions. That way, the only consistent fees will be from the local Board of Realtors (for MLS access).
I also recommend minimizing all of the training classes beyond completing your SAE training.
I hope this helps.
Always available to connect for a call.
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Bruce Lynn
Real Estate Broker · Coppell, TX · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
I think you have to decide if you want to be an employee with a job or an entrepreneur starting and growing a business.
if you want a job.....go talk to the office manager or broker or team leader of the entire office. Tell them you want to be an ISA on a team. That will have you calling leads 2-10 hours a day and earning a salary and maybe a bonus.
If you want to start a business you need a way to get some startup capital. What can you do to generate $5000 in cash to get started? Could you drive Uber Lyft door dash....Lyft pays $2500 bonus after 60 rides in 60 days or something like that. You also meet a ton of people. You also have the chance to get paid for driving for dollars leads...that is looking for fsbo...vacant houses...tall grass ..moving vans...pods...newspaper pileups....etc....you're putting those all in your database skip tracing them and calling and calling them until they list.
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Tyler Peddle
Member since 2023 · 25 posts · 3 votes
3y
Congratulations on passing your exam! That is a huge step for your future endeavors. Usually when people start, they will join a team in the city. There are numerous companies who have people join with little to no experience. You have the hard part down, that is passing your exam. Now it is time to market yourself. I would look on BP and Facebook to see any local marketing events going on and join those groups and attend the posted events!
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Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
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Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Hey there @Isaac Wescott - Congrats on passing your test!! When you say having a hard time finding employment, what exactly are you trying to get employed to do?
You should be able to join any brokerage, some are just quite different in the expectations and requirements of new brokers.
There are definitely many in Chicago that house primarily real estate investors. Is that something you are looking for?
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