Pittsburgh, PA 路 Member since 2020 路 21 posts 路 6 votes
Hey everybody I'm curious as to your thoughts on whether or not I should get my real estate license. I feel as though over the long-run I will save money and be better versed on the different markets I could potentially invest in.
I really can't think of a downside to having your real estate license. I will say that 90% of the material you "learn", you will forget and isn't often used in the real world. I am a Property Manager in Orlando, FL and have learned way more from "on the job experience" than from the textbook. Having your license opens many doors that you wouldn't otherwise have such as earning referrals, gaining access to real estate tools that you may not be able to without a license, and you can become a trusted resource by obtaining other certifications that are only available with a license. I say get your license, but don't let the process of getting your license hold you back from pursuing real estate opportunities in the meantime. Best of luck on your journey!
I really can't think of a downside to having your real estate license. I will say that 90% of the material you "learn", you will forget and isn't often used in the real world. I am a Property Manager in Orlando, FL and have learned way more from "on the job experience" than from the textbook. Having your license opens many doors that you wouldn't otherwise have such as earning referrals, gaining access to real estate tools that you may not be able to without a license, and you can become a trusted resource by obtaining other certifications that are only available with a license. I say get your license, but don't let the process of getting your license hold you back from pursuing real estate opportunities in the meantime. Best of luck on your journey!
Hi @Lawrence Cersosimo. I agree with Arturo. I have been licensed since 2006 and it has benefited me well. One example is that I do may creative deals (I buy subject-to, zero down, all cash etc). So when I come across people that have a motivating factor to sell, I can offer them more solutions than most investors that usually only offer a formulated cash offer. I am doing another short sale for a family I met was in trouble. In Florida, a short sale has to be listed with a licensed agent, so I would have had to hand that off to someone else if I wasn't licensed. Instead, I get to list it for sale and get 3%, I get to be the buyer and make profit from the flip and I get to get another commission when I sell. I would be leaving money on the table if I wasn't a Realtor庐.
I can speak from experience getting my license at 20 y/o and it has benefited me well, although I am also an agent practicing real estate in my market. It can help teach you the workings of a transaction, although the best experience is hands on in the field.
Agreeing with @Shawn McCormick, you can represent yourself in transactions and put the buy side commission back into your deals to save you money while having the ability to list properties yourself when you sell.