Rookie Investor – Should I Get My Real Estate License?

Question

Hi everyone – glad to be here!

I’m a rookie investor trying to stay ahead of the game, and I’d really appreciate some guidance from the more experienced members of the community.

Right now, I’m seriously considering getting my real estate license. My main motivation is to have direct access to the MLS and be able to move fast on deals. I’m a bit impatient, and I know that no agent will ever be as invested in my deals as I am (though I’ve heard some great stories, so I could be wrong there).

I also believe that becoming an agent would help me understand the market more deeply. My only concern is that even with a license, I’d still have to work under a broker and split commissions, which makes me wonder if it’s worth it at all.

So here are my main questions:

• Is it worth it to get your real estate license as an investor if you have to work under a broker and split commissions?
• After two years, would it make sense to become a broker yourself?

Is it worth it to get your real estate license as an investor if you have to work under a broker and split commissions?

After two years, would it make sense to become a broker yourself?

I’d love to hear your experiences—especially if you’ve gone this route yourself. Any insights, pros/cons, or advice would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Abel Curiel · Answer

Hello Klein,

1. No. Based on your reasoning, i.e. impatience, I think all you need to do is take your time screening and interviewing agents to find the right match. It will take you months, maybe years, to build relationships, gain experience, and obtain market knowledge that a qualified, investor-friendly agent already has. An impatient person will not want to wait that long! Agreed on the fact that agents will not be as vested as you are BUT part of your screening/interviewing process will reveal who is the right fit and who has the proper ethics to handle your investments.
You'll also have broker fees (desk, tech, etc.), licensing fees, Errors & Omissions Insurance, to pay even if you're not closing deals and monetizing your license. All in all, I don't think its worth getting licensed given what you've shared here.

That said, some brokers like eXp Realty, do not collect commissions on deals where the agent buys/sells their own property. There is a 2 deal/year limit on this last time I checked.

2. No.There is an exception to answers 1 & 2... if you're looking to incorporate a real estate sales business to your future plans, it could make sense to get licensed.All the best!

Abel

Rookie Investor – Should I Get My Real Estate License?

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