NJ and PA Real Estate License, and best company to join
Hi All,
I'm looking to get my real estate license in order to simplify the process of being able to look and list properties, to have a better control over negotiations, to capture some of the commission and to qualify as an active real estate investor for tax purposes. I'm looking at properties in PA and NJ, I have a bachelors degree in business (and an MBA from a top business school), and I have taken some real estate classes in college. I negotiate and perform financial analysis for a living, I have owned homes, although never as an investment.
I'm looking for a brokerage house that operates in/around Philadelphia that offers (1) advanced technology, (2) support, and (3) fair commission split with no monthly fees. Let me be clear, I'm not looking for a bare minimum service here at the minimum cost. I also couldn't care about the brand/name as I will mostly be doing real estate for myself.
Let me elaborate:
1) Advanced technology: I want full access to MLS, including all prior listing changes and sales. I want to be able to research the opposing agent to see what his/her own ratio is of list to sold (price and time). I want to be able to see deep analysis of market inventory (supply and average days on market). I want to be able to see prior listings on the same property with pictures. I want to be able to search by school attendance zone and walk score. I want very low lag time to the state MLS (I had agents before that sent me just listed properties which appeared on Zillow 2 days before).
2) Support: I ask a lot of detailed questions and I like when they are answered by people with true detailed knowledge, rather than those with a general idea and oversupply of confidence. While I may not know the answers myself, I generally can easily tell when the person really knows what s/he is talking about. I could also use advise in the least painful way to get my license.
As I mentioned before, I'm willing to pay for this technology and support via a lower commission split. If anyone could recommend the broker with the right technology and support expectations, please recommend them either here or via a private message.