I've just read that to be an outside property manager in California one must have a brokers license, not just a real estate salesperson license. Is this true?

One way around needing a brokers license is if you are a principal, meaning you have a financial interest in the property. Such as a Master Lease Agreement (aka Sandwich Lease), you arrange to be the master tenant from the owner, then sublet the property.

To own/operate your own outside PM company, yes.

In California anyone can own a Brokerage Company... You'll just need to hire a managing Broker, pay them 200 a month, and have your license with theirs... There are a lot of retired Brokers willing to be that Broker...

Rusty, Thank you for the reply. I currently manage my own properties(in Los Angeles,CA) and had someone ask me to manage a few they currently have. I don't have a license(broker or salesperson) so I am trying to figure out how I could manage legally without a license. I called my lawyer about the master lease idea but he thought a broker would still have to sign off on it to make it valid. Also told me to contact the DRE before I go forward with anything(left a message today and no call back yet). Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Hey Brian P, Could you explain in more detail how you go about getting around it? Thanks, james

Mark What the others said is true, however there is a legal way around it but it limits your clientele, but on the other hand you can make more money net.

What Craig said. Real estate sales license if you're going to manage property while working for a PM firm, a broker's license if you're setting up your own shop. http://www.ehow.com/how_6699996_become-property-manager-california.html

Broker license a property manager requirement in California?Broker license a property manager requirement in California?

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Broker license a property manager requirement in California?

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