All,
I have recently considered getting my real estate license in NC..I dont necessarily want to be a broker/agent, but I have heard great things from investors I know that have it---from advanced knowledge/real estate network all the way to the ability to be your own agent on your deals (and deals on friends/family). If looking to acquire roughly 1-2 properties per year, it seems to make sense to me with the savings in commissions to other agents. I am also very interested in developing a syndication/fund in the future, and feel like this will only help any credibility to future LPs/GCs/etc.
Does anyone have advice/thoughts/opinions on best way to go about this and if getting licensed is worth it? Id love to connect and learn from someone that has experience in this area..thanks ahead of time.
Hi! I actually did just this a few years back, but up in New York. I will say this, it did help me to grow my network rather quickly. And although I didn't intend to sell as much initially, I ended up really liking selling a lot more than I thought. That is what helped me to build my network and knowledge base super quick. With that being said, it does make it harder if you are looking for off market deals. As a realtor, I have to disclose I am that and I have to be super careful about "theft of equity" laws up here meaning that if someone comes to me for my professional opinion because they are not sure if they are going to list it or not, I can't really just offer to buy it. I have to first act in the best interest of them, which 99.999999% of the time in this market means listing it and bringing it to market. So it can have some drawbacks. But overall, it was one of the best decisions I ever made and really helped to kickstart more rapid growth of my own portfolio.
Good luck! You got this!
Hi! I actually did just this a few years back, but up in New York. I will say this, it did help me to grow my network rather quickly. And although I didn't intend to sell as much initially, I ended up really liking selling a lot more than I thought. That is what helped me to build my network and knowledge base super quick. With that being said, it does make it harder if you are looking for off market deals. As a realtor, I have to disclose I am that and I have to be super careful about "theft of equity" laws up here meaning that if someone comes to me for my professional opinion because they are not sure if they are going to list it or not, I can't really just offer to buy it. I have to first act in the best interest of them, which 99.999999% of the time in this market means listing it and bringing it to market. So it can have some drawbacks. But overall, it was one of the best decisions I ever made and really helped to kickstart more rapid growth of my own portfolio.
Good luck! You got this!
Hi! I actually did just this a few years back, but up in New York. I will say this, it did help me to grow my network rather quickly. And although I didn't intend to sell as much initially, I ended up really liking selling a lot more than I thought. That is what helped me to build my network and knowledge base super quick. With that being said, it does make it harder if you are looking for off market deals. As a realtor, I have to disclose I am that and I have to be super careful about "theft of equity" laws up here meaning that if someone comes to me for my professional opinion because they are not sure if they are going to list it or not, I can't really just offer to buy it. I have to first act in the best interest of them, which 99.999999% of the time in this market means listing it and bringing it to market. So it can have some drawbacks. But overall, it was one of the best decisions I ever made and really helped to kickstart more rapid growth of my own portfolio.
Good luck! You got this!
Hi! I actually did just this a few years back, but up in New York. I will say this, it did help me to grow my network rather quickly. And although I didn't intend to sell as much initially, I ended up really liking selling a lot more than I thought. That is what helped me to build my network and knowledge base super quick. With that being said, it does make it harder if you are looking for off market deals. As a realtor, I have to disclose I am that and I have to be super careful about "theft of equity" laws up here meaning that if someone comes to me for my professional opinion because they are not sure if they are going to list it or not, I can't really just offer to buy it. I have to first act in the best interest of them, which 99.999999% of the time in this market means listing it and bringing it to market. So it can have some drawbacks. But overall, it was one of the best decisions I ever made and really helped to kickstart more rapid growth of my own portfolio.
Good luck! You got this!
Yes. I always represent myself and that pays for the license each year with one transaction. So totally worth it for me in that sense. :)
Hi! I actually did just this a few years back, but up in New York. I will say this, it did help me to grow my network rather quickly. And although I didn't intend to sell as much initially, I ended up really liking selling a lot more than I thought. That is what helped me to build my network and knowledge base super quick. With that being said, it does make it harder if you are looking for off market deals. As a realtor, I have to disclose I am that and I have to be super careful about "theft of equity" laws up here meaning that if someone comes to me for my professional opinion because they are not sure if they are going to list it or not, I can't really just offer to buy it. I have to first act in the best interest of them, which 99.999999% of the time in this market means listing it and bringing it to market. So it can have some drawbacks. But overall, it was one of the best decisions I ever made and really helped to kickstart more rapid growth of my own portfolio.
Good luck! You got this!
Yes. I always represent myself and that pays for the license each year with one transaction. So totally worth it for me in that sense. :)
Hi! I actually did just this a few years back, but up in New York. I will say this, it did help me to grow my network rather quickly. And although I didn't intend to sell as much initially, I ended up really liking selling a lot more than I thought. That is what helped me to build my network and knowledge base super quick. With that being said, it does make it harder if you are looking for off market deals. As a realtor, I have to disclose I am that and I have to be super careful about "theft of equity" laws up here meaning that if someone comes to me for my professional opinion because they are not sure if they are going to list it or not, I can't really just offer to buy it. I have to first act in the best interest of them, which 99.999999% of the time in this market means listing it and bringing it to market. So it can have some drawbacks. But overall, it was one of the best decisions I ever made and really helped to kickstart more rapid growth of my own portfolio.
Good luck! You got this!
Yes. I always represent myself and that pays for the license each year with one transaction. So totally worth it for me in that sense. :)
You definitely can sell for friends and family. I do that all the time. It more becomes a conflict as a realtor when you go to purchase yourself. You just always have to disclose you are an agent when you go to buy and you are representing yourself. :)
Hi! I actually did just this a few years back, but up in New York. I will say this, it did help me to grow my network rather quickly. And although I didn't intend to sell as much initially, I ended up really liking selling a lot more than I thought. That is what helped me to build my network and knowledge base super quick. With that being said, it does make it harder if you are looking for off market deals. As a realtor, I have to disclose I am that and I have to be super careful about "theft of equity" laws up here meaning that if someone comes to me for my professional opinion because they are not sure if they are going to list it or not, I can't really just offer to buy it. I have to first act in the best interest of them, which 99.999999% of the time in this market means listing it and bringing it to market. So it can have some drawbacks. But overall, it was one of the best decisions I ever made and really helped to kickstart more rapid growth of my own portfolio.
Good luck! You got this!
Yes. I always represent myself and that pays for the license each year with one transaction. So totally worth it for me in that sense. :)
You definitely can sell for friends and family. I do that all the time. It more becomes a conflict as a realtor when you go to purchase yourself. You just always have to disclose you are an agent when you go to buy and you are representing yourself. :)
All,
I have recently considered getting my real estate license in NC..I dont necessarily want to be a broker/agent, but I have heard great things from investors I know that have it---from advanced knowledge/real estate network all the way to the ability to be your own agent on your deals (and deals on friends/family). If looking to acquire roughly 1-2 properties per year, it seems to make sense to me with the savings in commissions to other agents. I am also very interested in developing a syndication/fund in the future, and feel like this will only help any credibility to future LPs/GCs/etc.
Does anyone have advice/thoughts/opinions on best way to go about this and if getting licensed is worth it? Id love to connect and learn from someone that has experience in this area..thanks ahead of time.
Hey Josh,
Given that you purchase 1-2 properties per year it may be beneficial to get your real estate license. Saving yourself 2-3% on your down payments can be a nice benefit. In Michigan you are able to put your commission towards your downpayment/closing costs.
You will have to pay dues each year, and pay for MLS access, those add up to a couple thousand a year. Depending on what brokerage you join you will have monthly office costs, and pay a percentage of your commissions to the brokerage. My broker allows us 2 investment and 1 personal deal per year where we do not have to pay the split.
Honestly, do it.
It is so nice to just be able to get up and go see a property whenever you want, not when your agents schedule allows. This also allows for you to receive commission on the buyside as well as save you commission when you decide to re-list because you are the listing agent and you will not be paying yourself, so you'll end up saving 2.5-3%.
By getting you license for a fix and flip for example. You will make 2.5% on the buy then save 2.5% on the list. No brainer.
@Josh Haney I am on team don't do it. The real learning starts after you got your license. Frankly the first 30 deals or so you don't know what you are doing and should work supervised. Helping friends and family with no experience is a terrible idea. Most of the time everything goes smoothly, and that gives the posters above the illusion of control. They don't know (yet) what they don't know. If you have the best interest of friends and family at heart (instead of comission) you help them find a pro.
The value of an agent comes from experience, not from the license. True with every profession, from car mechanics to surgent. You don't want to a rookie do work for you, you would certainly not hire yourself!
All,
I have recently considered getting my real estate license in NC..I dont necessarily want to be a broker/agent, but I have heard great things from investors I know that have it---from advanced knowledge/real estate network all the way to the ability to be your own agent on your deals (and deals on friends/family). If looking to acquire roughly 1-2 properties per year, it seems to make sense to me with the savings in commissions to other agents. I am also very interested in developing a syndication/fund in the future, and feel like this will only help any credibility to future LPs/GCs/etc.
Does anyone have advice/thoughts/opinions on best way to go about this and if getting licensed is worth it? Id love to connect and learn from someone that has experience in this area..thanks ahead of time.
Hey Josh,
Given that you purchase 1-2 properties per year it may be beneficial to get your real estate license. Saving yourself 2-3% on your down payments can be a nice benefit. In Michigan you are able to put your commission towards your downpayment/closing costs.
You will have to pay dues each year, and pay for MLS access, those add up to a couple thousand a year. Depending on what brokerage you join you will have monthly office costs, and pay a percentage of your commissions to the brokerage. My broker allows us 2 investment and 1 personal deal per year where we do not have to pay the split.
Honestly, do it.
It is so nice to just be able to get up and go see a property whenever you want, not when your agents schedule allows. This also allows for you to receive commission on the buyside as well as save you commission when you decide to re-list because you are the listing agent and you will not be paying yourself, so you'll end up saving 2.5-3%.
By getting you license for a fix and flip for example. You will make 2.5% on the buy then save 2.5% on the list. No brainer.
@Josh Haney I am on team don't do it. The real learning starts after you got your license. Frankly the first 30 deals or so you don't know what you are doing and should work supervised. Helping friends and family with no experience is a terrible idea. Most of the time everything goes smoothly, and that gives the posters above the illusion of control. They don't know (yet) what they don't know. If you have the best interest of friends and family at heart (instead of comission) you help them find a pro.
The value of an agent comes from experience, not from the license. True with every profession, from car mechanics to surgent. You don't want to a rookie do work for you, you would certainly not hire yourself!
Thanks for your response. My goal in getting a real estate license not revolve around getting a commission from my friends and family, I was simply curious about the logistics of the license and what regulations surround it. I would , however, strive to get a strong real estate portfolio and down the line it appears that saving commission fees by being your own agentcould make a lot of sense.
Being an agent and an investor yourself, do you do your own deals or do you prefer to outsource to a different agent? If you do your own, how long did it take to feel comfortable handling everything?
Its sort of a catch-22 / split, sometimes. As long as you are doing deals, you can cover your annual dues. Remember, while there is a split between the buy side and seller side, agents get a split from their broker. So, on a 5% listing commission, 2.5% say goes to the buyer agent. Looks good, except overall you might get say 1.25%-1.5% depending on your split with your broker.
You need to find a broker that doesn't mind that you are doing low volume. Remember, brokers make their money off the backs of agents. They want high volume agents to generate income for themselves, and increase their stats.
Yes, as a Realtor (not all agents are Realtors), you have to abide by the Code of Ethics. It makes it "tougher" to source deals since you have a fiduciary duty. Some argue with that since one can claim the lead isn't a client requiring fiduciary... But, it CAN give you some more credibiilty and options. For example, I can layout these options to a prospective seller: 1) I can personally purchase the property from you for so much, 2) i can list it for you for so much. Remmber being a an agent is really a sales position, which is why many are leary of them --- why else would the association need to develop a Code of Ethics and market it so much (and provide so much training).
As you do more deals and network/learn with/from other agents, hopefully you will become a better agent. The usual spiel is don't get your license and represent yourself since you won't know anything. Well, one has to start somewhere. REmember, the licensure course doesn't tell you anyhting about being an agent, how to get leads (thats pure sales), how to conduct a transaction, how to save the deal, etc. It just tells funcamental info about real estate and the various law and regulations you have follow. I guess the best analagy is your driver's license.. when you somehow get your driver's license, you don't REALLY know how to drive well. That takes experience and practice (and maybe some help from a driver's ed course or similar).
If you represent others, you can learn from their deals. Its even better sometimes because its on their money, not yours. For example, I had some I think 4 transactions in a year that all needed new septic installs. As an agent, I get to see whats entailed without having to deal with it myself.
Being able to make your own appointments to see listings yourself is fantastic, especially to see what the market looks like. Just remember to conduct yourself properly. However, you make your money when you buy the property, as the adage goes... Buying property on market should/will be at fair value. So, you'd rather source deals off market, which doesn't require a license...
Just make sure you spend your time efficiently and effectively. Many flippers I know specifically don't have their license because of the following: no need to follow Code of Ethics, sales isn't their skill, they are making money by sourcing deals not spending time doing sales (even of their own properties since it takes time away).
Happy to chat if you like. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Its sort of a catch-22 / split, sometimes. As long as you are doing deals, you can cover your annual dues. Remember, while there is a split between the buy side and seller side, agents get a split from their broker. So, on a 5% listing commission, 2.5% say goes to the buyer agent. Looks good, except overall you might get say 1.25%-1.5% depending on your split with your broker.
You need to find a broker that doesn't mind that you are doing low volume. Remember, brokers make their money off the backs of agents. They want high volume agents to generate income for themselves, and increase their stats.
Yes, as a Realtor (not all agents are Realtors), you have to abide by the Code of Ethics. It makes it "tougher" to source deals since you have a fiduciary duty. Some argue with that since one can claim the lead isn't a client requiring fiduciary... But, it CAN give you some more credibiilty and options. For example, I can layout these options to a prospective seller: 1) I can personally purchase the property from you for so much, 2) i can list it for you for so much. Remmber being a an agent is really a sales position, which is why many are leary of them --- why else would the association need to develop a Code of Ethics and market it so much (and provide so much training).
As you do more deals and network/learn with/from other agents, hopefully you will become a better agent. The usual spiel is don't get your license and represent yourself since you won't know anything. Well, one has to start somewhere. REmember, the licensure course doesn't tell you anyhting about being an agent, how to get leads (thats pure sales), how to conduct a transaction, how to save the deal, etc. It just tells funcamental info about real estate and the various law and regulations you have follow. I guess the best analagy is your driver's license.. when you somehow get your driver's license, you don't REALLY know how to drive well. That takes experience and practice (and maybe some help from a driver's ed course or similar).
If you represent others, you can learn from their deals. Its even better sometimes because its on their money, not yours. For example, I had some I think 4 transactions in a year that all needed new septic installs. As an agent, I get to see whats entailed without having to deal with it myself.
Being able to make your own appointments to see listings yourself is fantastic, especially to see what the market looks like. Just remember to conduct yourself properly. However, you make your money when you buy the property, as the adage goes... Buying property on market should/will be at fair value. So, you'd rather source deals off market, which doesn't require a license...
Just make sure you spend your time efficiently and effectively. Many flippers I know specifically don't have their license because of the following: no need to follow Code of Ethics, sales isn't their skill, they are making money by sourcing deals not spending time doing sales (even of their own properties since it takes time away).
Happy to chat if you like. Hope this helps. Good luck.
it is always great to have your license - and if you are interested to take the classes at no charge to you, reach out. I have a connection for that :-) i have been licensed for 38 years now - YIKES that's a long time!
Keep in mind as a licensee, if 25% of your transactions are your own, it may be extremely difficult to get E&O insurance. Many carriers will not insure someone in this case at all, and the ones that do (if available in your state) will charge dramatically high rates, think $10-$20k a year for a policy. Many states require licensees to have E&O, but some do not or only require the broker to. In that case, some carriers will perform an audit of agents on the brokers policy to see if they are over the 25% threshold.
Keep in mind as a licensee, if 25% of your transactions are your own, it may be extremely difficult to get E&O insurance. Many carriers will not insure someone in this case at all, and the ones that do (if available in your state) will charge dramatically high rates, think $10-$20k a year for a policy. Many states require licensees to have E&O, but some do not or only require the broker to. In that case, some carriers will perform an audit of agents on the brokers policy to see if they are over the 25% threshold.
It can be feasible... Just realize that if you don't, if the market changes, you change your mind, that your broker may not want to keep you... It still takes work/advertising to find clients to serve to have transactions.
I've never heard of syndications requiring licensure. The license just is the brokering of real estate. Everything elseis just "business..." A syndication or fund should have plenty of other issue, such SEC filings, accounting standards, actually being able to manage the business, actually running the business...
As for credibility, a real estate license doesn't add much, in my opinion. The barrier to entry is so low, and I wouldn't buy into a fund because somebody has a license to broker real estate.
There was a comment about E&O. I never had that issue. I'm sure it varies by locality.
It can be feasible... Just realize that if you don't, if the market changes, you change your mind, that your broker may not want to keep you... It still takes work/advertising to find clients to serve to have transactions.
I've never heard of syndications requiring licensure. The license just is the brokering of real estate. Everything elseis just "business..." A syndication or fund should have plenty of other issue, such SEC filings, accounting standards, actually being able to manage the business, actually running the business...
As for credibility, a real estate license doesn't add much, in my opinion. The barrier to entry is so low, and I wouldn't buy into a fund because somebody has a license to broker real estate.
There was a comment about E&O. I never had that issue. I'm sure it varies by locality.
it is always great to have your license - and if you are interested to take the classes at no charge to you, reach out. I have a connection for that :-) i have been licensed for 38 years now - YIKES that's a long time!
@Josh Haney i sent you a message - i can better explain and help you depending on the city and area you live in
it is always great to have your license - and if you are interested to take the classes at no charge to you, reach out. I have a connection for that :-) i have been licensed for 38 years now - YIKES that's a long time!
Hello @Wendy Patton,
I want to take classes as well but I am in South Carolina. I intend to get my license here before end of 2024 and I am determined to get it. Do you by any chance have classes that could help me as well?
Appreciate your gesture.
@Pradip Chavan sure let's connect -
I did this about 5 years into my RE investing career and wish I did it sooner.
I got my license primarily to list my own flips/new construction. It ended up being much more than that. I now help other investors find deals in my market as well.
I'd recommend looking into flat fee brokerages with low monthly fees. That worked best for me since I don't need a "name brand" brokerage as I'm not trying to be an actual realtor.
I was in your exact shoes 4 years ago. Prices (and correlating commissions) are high in my market, so saving money on my personal deals was my initial motivation. However like Mackenzie above, I found that I liked representing others and it quickly became a full time gig. Actually my first transaction resulted in a six-figure commission and that got me hooked, the golden handcuffs were on. I wouldn’t recommend getting your license for just your own deals or occasional friends and family deals, honestly. I’d only get your license if you’re open to actually being an agent. I say this because you don’t learn anything practical from the classes, or get good at it by doing just a handful of deals a year. You’ll only get good and be a valuable asset to both yourself and others if you’re actually doing a lot of transactions. Maybe you’ll save money on some commissions, but the time and costs of maintaining your license are probably higher than you expect, and because you won’t actually have much experience, there’s a real risk that your lack of skill will harm your investing more than if you were just working with a higher skilled, seasoned agent (same goes for the few friends and family that you will “help” occasionally). Without doing a lot of deals it’ll be hard to really know the industry from the inside, the contracts line by line, the local market on a house by house level, or master negotiating skills, or know how to avoid bad situations etc. So I wouldn’t do it unless you plan to really do it. Or at least be open to putting in lots of effort long enough to get a few dozen transactions under your belt, which is the minimum level of experience you’ll need to progress from a beginner to at least an intermediate level of competence. Good luck!