RE license for investors?

[Keith Smith]

I currently have a few investment properties I manage myself. I'm thinking of getting my Real Estate license. I don't plan on actively pursuing doing real estate deals for others or changing my career to RE full time or anything. It would mainly just be for my own self development, to have it (even if in retirement) if I ever did choose to change career fields, or to buy my own properties myself.

My question is, since I have investment properties now and hold security deposits, would having my license change anything? Do I have to hold the security deposits differently if licensed? There may be no change, just trying to think if there would be a downside to getting it other than the normal time and money reasons to not get a license. 

[Bob Okenwa]

Be aware that holding a RE license comes with the ongoing costs of 1k-2k a year just for broker fees, dues and MLS access. For a buy and hold investor, having a license won't provide the same value it would to a flipper since the flipper can save that 3% commission on the back end.

Having a license doesn't change how you hold deposits, at least not in AZ. Also, keep in mind that there is a certain amount of continuing education courses one must complete every 24 months to keep their license active (In AZ). Your state may differ.