Real estate license beneficial for investing?
Christopher LeBlancPro Member
New to Real Estate · Rockland, MA · Member since 2025 · 17 posts · 8 votesReal estate license beneficial for investing?
Most Popular Reply
Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes
1yReal estate agents generally get little to no training on investing. Most agents haven't a clue what a good investment deal looks like. I found being an agent very confining. Being an agent comes with greater rules and regulations that you need to follow and greater responsibilities.
Being an agent comes with a significant cost to maintain your license: insurance, fees to local and national realtor organizations, MLS fees, continuing education etc. You might not save much if any if you only do a few deals a year.
i do a lot of deals every years and I am happy to pay a good agent like @Russell Brazil to do the work of buying or selling for me.
21 Replies
- Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes1y
Nope
District Invest Group545 Reviews - 1yElias HalvorsonBusiness MemberHI · Member since 2024 · 225 posts · 130 votes
Im going to say it could be worth it, providing you can find a good real estate team to take you under their wing. So maybe instead of saving 3% from the buyers commission, you are saving 2% and they are helping you with advice, some of the intricacies, etc. So, depending on where you're investing will determine the value. If you were trying to save 2% buying low priced homes in the midwest, maybe not worth it. If you are buying homes in more expensive suburbs of Boston, then it totally could be worth it. ANyways, you didnt really give much info so it's tough to recommend yay or nay, but it is definitely something I would explore further if I was in your shoes.
Elias Halvorson C2 Hawaii NMLS#1697041HI Branch NMLS#1244222 585 Reviews- New to Real Estate · Rockland, MA · Member since 2025 · 17 posts · 8 votes1y
Quote from @Elias Halvorson:
Im going to say it could be worth it, providing you can find a good real estate team to take you under their wing. So maybe instead of saving 3% from the buyers commission, you are saving 2% and they are helping you with advice, some of the intricacies, etc. So, depending on where you're investing will determine the value. If you were trying to save 2% buying low priced homes in the midwest, maybe not worth it. If you are buying homes in more expensive suburbs of Boston, then it totally could be worth it. ANyways, you didnt really give much info so it's tough to recommend yay or nay, but it is definitely something I would explore further if I was in your shoes.
Hi Elias, thank you for responding. I do realize I didn't have too much information to share, mostly because it's just a fledgling idea that I had. I'm in very early stages, and just purely gathering information and learning right now. I highly doubt I'd be looking to invest in or directly around Boston, as I feel it's just simply out of my league for now. I expect to be looking in MA still, but based off of what I've been reading, this is a tough market to navigate and make money. That's where this idea came to mind to alleviate some costs when it came to finally purchasing something.
Thanks again for chiming in, and I appreciate the feedback.
- Real Estate Agent · OK · Member since 2025 · 12 posts · 6 votes1y
I'd say it depends on your situation. It definitely is beneficial to learn about the fundamentals of real estate law, contract law, title issues, title insurance, deeds, legal definition, etc. The question is: is it worth your time?
Ultimately, that's up to you. I'd say, why not? Work as an agent, learn the market, get your eyes on some deals, get connected, and start investing all at the same time.
I wanted to start investing so I got a job with a brokerage that works exclusively with investors. Now I'm getting paid while also becoming a more experienced and knowledgeable investor.
Also just want to note that you don't need an agent to buy a property. ("Clearly I can save myself some money when I go to actually purchase a property.") Most experienced investors don't use agents on many of their deals.- New to Real Estate · Rockland, MA · Member since 2025 · 17 posts · 8 votes1y
Quote from @Benjamin Fisher:
I'd say it depends on your situation. It definitely is beneficial to learn about the fundamentals of real estate law, contract law, title issues, title insurance, deeds, legal definition, etc. The question is: is it worth your time?
Ultimately, that's up to you. I'd say, why not? Work as an agent, learn the market, get your eyes on some deals, get connected, and start investing all at the same time.
I wanted to start investing so I got a job with a brokerage that works exclusively with investors. Now I'm getting paid while also becoming a more experienced and knowledgeable investor.
Also just want to note that you don't need an agent to buy a property. ("Clearly I can save myself some money when I go to actually purchase a property.") Most experienced investors don't use agents on many of their deals.Hi Benjamin, this is all good info!
I like the idea of being as well rounded as possible, so I feel like it would be worth my time. I love that you got right into working with a brokerage to get direct experience.
Honestly, I didn't really know if experienced investors used agents or not. Part of me wondered if it was considered taboo to skip using a realtor, or if that's just a crazy idea to begin with. I'm just getting my feet wet in the learning stage, so I appreciate you chiming in. Thank you!
- Real Estate Agent · OK · Member since 2025 · 12 posts · 6 votes1y
Quote from @Christopher LeBlanc:
Quote from @Benjamin Fisher:
I'd say it depends on your situation. It definitely is beneficial to learn about the fundamentals of real estate law, contract law, title issues, title insurance, deeds, legal definition, etc. The question is: is it worth your time?
Ultimately, that's up to you. I'd say, why not? Work as an agent, learn the market, get your eyes on some deals, get connected, and start investing all at the same time.
I wanted to start investing so I got a job with a brokerage that works exclusively with investors. Now I'm getting paid while also becoming a more experienced and knowledgeable investor.
Also just want to note that you don't need an agent to buy a property. ("Clearly I can save myself some money when I go to actually purchase a property.") Most experienced investors don't use agents on many of their deals.Hi Benjamin, this is all good info!
I like the idea of being as well rounded as possible, so I feel like it would be worth my time. I love that you got right into working with a brokerage to get direct experience.
Honestly, I didn't really know if experienced investors used agents or not. Part of me wondered if it was considered taboo to skip using a realtor, or if that's just a crazy idea to begin with. I'm just getting my feet wet in the learning stage, so I appreciate you chiming in. Thank you!
Gotcha, yeah, happy to help! Most of the time, the best deals (like the best jobs) are found off-market--away from both buyers' and sellers' agents. The biggest investors spend a lot of money marketing directly to home owners who might not have even been thinking about selling their home until they got a letter saying someone could give them a cash offer.
- Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2014 · 2 posts · 0 votes1y
Quote from @Benjamin Fisher:
I wanted to start investing so I got a job with a brokerage that works exclusively with investors. Now I'm getting paid while also becoming a more experienced and knowledgeable investor.
How were you able to go about finding brokers that works with investors? I'm sure I could call around but what would be some good questions to ask?
- Real Estate Agent · OK · Member since 2025 · 12 posts · 6 votes1yCheck out New Western! Biggest supplier of off-market real estate deals in the nation. Need to be licensed to work there and they have brokerages in almost every major market. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Quote from @Tarica Brown:
Quote from @Benjamin Fisher:
I wanted to start investing so I got a job with a brokerage that works exclusively with investors. Now I'm getting paid while also becoming a more experienced and knowledgeable investor.
How were you able to go about finding brokers that works with investors? I'm sure I could call around but what would be some good questions to ask?
- Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes1y
Real estate agents generally get little to no training on investing. Most agents haven't a clue what a good investment deal looks like. I found being an agent very confining. Being an agent comes with greater rules and regulations that you need to follow and greater responsibilities.
Being an agent comes with a significant cost to maintain your license: insurance, fees to local and national realtor organizations, MLS fees, continuing education etc. You might not save much if any if you only do a few deals a year.
i do a lot of deals every years and I am happy to pay a good agent like @Russell Brazil to do the work of buying or selling for me.
- Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes1y
Nope.
Here is why: you would never hire yourself as a bloody rookie. Or at least you would be foolish to do so. What you are really buying when you hire a top agent is a lot of experience. Someone who has been troubleshooting 100s of deals knows what to look for and how to prevent/navigate.
After you pass your license exam, you realize you don't know anything useful.
- New to Real Estate · Rockland, MA · Member since 2025 · 17 posts · 8 votes1y
Quote from @Marcus Auerbach:
Nope.
Here is why: you would never hire yourself as a bloody rookie. Or at least you would be foolish to do so. What you are really buying when you hire a top agent is a lot of experience. Someone who has been troubleshooting 100s of deals knows what to look for and how to prevent/navigate.
After you pass your license exam, you realize you don't know anything useful.
Marcus, I appreciate this feedback. I can definitely see the advantage of having a seasoned agent working with me, as opposed to trying to navigate myself. Thank you for taking the time to respond!
- Member since 2025 · 248 posts · 101 votes1y
@Christopher LeBlanc Having a license can give you MLS access, commission savings, and deeper market insight - but it's time-intensive. Worth it if you plan to be active often.
- New to Real Estate · Rockland, MA · Member since 2025 · 17 posts · 8 votes1y
Quote from @Kate Sanchez:
@Christopher LeBlanc Having a license can give you MLS access, commission savings, and deeper market insight - but it's time-intensive. Worth it if you plan to be active often.
Hi Kate, these were a few of the reasons I was thinking of... the MLS access, and the commission savings. I felt like the savings would be particularly useful in the beginning, but clearly those savings can possibly be outweighed by having someone seasoned in the trade working with me, particularly in the beginning. Perhaps when I get more active as you say, it may be worth it more then. Thanks for taking the time to respond!
- 1ySeth McGatheyBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Milwaukee WI · Member since 2024 · 321 posts · 255 votes
I did exactly this. But I will echo some of the other comments in here.
1. If you transact 1 deal a year as an agent, you will basically break even on expenses.
2. If you want to make any additional money from being an agent, you will need to market, a lot. (There is a reason most agents don't even sell one house a year).
3. Being an investor prepares you more for being an agent than being an agent prepares you to be an investor.
Now, I think it is going to be worth it for me because:
1. I have a pretty flexible day job. I work remote and can pretty easily duck out whenever I need to for an hour or two and just make up that time later.
2. In my market, if I make about two transactions a month, I should make close to $100,000, replacing my day job.
3. I am at a point in my investing where I plan to start making at least one deal a year, so I will at least break even, even if I get no clients that year.
4. I enjoy helping people get into real estate and invest in real estate. It truly gets me excited.My ultimate plan is that if I get my real estate investments up to bringing in around $50,000-$100,000 a year, then I only need to have about 1 client a month to quit my day job and still be better off than I am now. So the road to financial independence looks more like a 5 year journey than a 10 year journey for me following that plan.
So like others said, it really comes down to your goals and what you want out of it.
Seth McGathey - Shorewest Realtor4.912 Reviews- New to Real Estate · Rockland, MA · Member since 2025 · 17 posts · 8 votes1y
Quote from @Seth McGathey:
I did exactly this. But I will echo some of the other comments in here.
1. If you transact 1 deal a year as an agent, you will basically break even on expenses.
2. If you want to make any additional money from being an agent, you will need to market, a lot. (There is a reason most agents don't even sell one house a year).
3. Being an investor prepares you more for being an agent than being an agent prepares you to be an investor.
Now, I think it is going to be worth it for me because:
1. I have a pretty flexible day job. I work remote and can pretty easily duck out whenever I need to for an hour or two and just make up that time later.
2. In my market, if I make about two transactions a month, I should make close to $100,000, replacing my day job.
3. I am at a point in my investing where I plan to start making at least one deal a year, so I will at least break even, even if I get no clients that year.
4. I enjoy helping people get into real estate and invest in real estate. It truly gets me excited.My ultimate plan is that if I get my real estate investments up to bringing in around $50,000-$100,000 a year, then I only need to have about 1 client a month to quit my day job and still be better off than I am now. So the road to financial independence looks more like a 5 year journey than a 10 year journey for me following that plan.
So like others said, it really comes down to your goals and what you want out of it.
Seth, thank you for the detailed response, truly. I think it boils down to what I think I want to achieve, and what the realistic expectation should be, at least for the next few years.
I'm 42, and have been working the same job for 17 years. That job is ending, and I want to *focus* on this, but know I have to pick up another job in the meantime while I get myself up and running with real estate.
I feel like the first 3-5 years will be spent getting a firm footing, and hopefully going full bore beyond that.
Seems like what makes sense is to put the realtors license on the sideline for now, and perhaps pursue it in a few years when things may pick up a bit.
Thank you for chiming in, I appreciate your time!
- 1ySeth McGatheyBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Milwaukee WI · Member since 2024 · 321 posts · 255 votes
@Christopher LeBlanc absolutely. Sounds like a smart plan. One thing to consider is finding someone in real estate that you can work for. Experienced agents need assistants, some investors need assistants, the trades are always useful. Really depends on what aspect you want to get good at, but as long as you are in something real estate related it should help you get further in your investing. Best of luck!
Seth McGathey - Shorewest Realtor4.912 Reviews
- Flipper/Rehabber · Bloomfield CT · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 409 votes1y
You can go see properties quicker without having to coordinate with an agent
- New to Real Estate · Rockland, MA · Member since 2025 · 17 posts · 8 votes1y
Quote from @Syed Ahmed:
Great question, definitely one that comes up often, and for good reason. Having your license can give you direct access to deals, comps, and control over the transaction process, which is valuable. But it also comes with added responsibilities: disclosure laws, ongoing education, and possibly higher expectations from sellers or buyers you work with.For long-term buy-and-hold investing, some find it worth it, especially if they’re active or want to represent themselves. Others prefer to focus on investing and build relationships with investor-friendly agents instead. Just depends on how hands-on you want to be in the acquisition process.Appreciate you bringing this up, it’s always good to reassess how tools like licensing fit into your overall strategy.
Syed, thank you for taking the time to respond.
I think initially, I liked the idea of having more control of the process, and keeping things "in house". But, I also know the value of having a good team, and people that share common goals and can provide insight.
I'm leaning towards punting it down the line for a bit, and just focusing on getting myself established as an investor. Then, if it makes sense, I'll look into it.
Thanks you for chiming in!
- Member since 2023 · 2 posts · 1 vote1y
I was an investor first, then an agent. Best thing I ever did. Forwarning, it's addicting and after one year I left my cushy software sales job and now do full time real estate.
Besides that, I am not longer depending on an agents schedule to get into houses and being an agent has given me untapped resources and connections that has made me 1000% a better investor.
Having to be honest and disclose things don't hinder my ability to invest, I never lied about my properties before why start now :) feel free to DM me if you have any questions it's a subject I love! I have a team of agents now and always love encouraging them to invest too!
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