Owner of 3 Doors; Should I become a realtor?

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Owner of 3 Doors; Should I become a realtor?

Jacob Borstad
Rental Property Investor · Winchester, VA · Member since 2019 · 7 posts · 7 votes

I purchased our first single family house in 2020 and since then have BRRRR a second property in Februrary of this year that we are living in currently. We will be able to do a cash out refinance on the second property in February and will be looking to make a purchase in 2026 whether it be a multifamily or another single family house.

All this being said I am wondering if there is a benefit to becoming a real estate agent in order to partner with a fellow investor that is an appraiser. We have chatted about pursuing properties together so that we each are able to bring funds to the table as well as accelerate the process as we work together. Seeking advice both on partnerships and on the idea of becoming a realtor to save on realtor fees in our partnership. 

Thank you in advance!

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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
10mo
Quote from @Jules Aton:
Quote from @Jacob Borstad:

@Greg Scott thank you for your reply!

Could you explain more of the downsides to the disclosures?

 Can't speak for @Greg Scott but I rarely give a second look to properties indicating RE agent is principle. Very rudimentary but I figure they know what it is worth so unlikely to get a great deal and if it is such a good property why are they selling? 


I am a Broker and if I heard the why are you selling one time i have heard it thousands not only when brokers are sellers but just about anyone.. So for me I dont hold inventory and have no interest in being a landlord save the few NNN investments I have ..  although I buy and sell probably 100 plus SFRs a year I dont care how good a deal i get on them I dont want to be a landlord so its just inventory to me and inventory that gets sold to others who do have the dream of being a landlord. 
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  • Greg ScottPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · SE Michigan · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    10mo

    If you want to sell properties for a living, become a realtor.  You don't need to be a realtor to be a successful investor.  Also, because of disclosures, there are some downsides to becoming one.

    A focus on saving commission fees could actually cost you a lot more in the long run.  Hopefully you are already networking with realtors.  Those realtors that specialize in finding good investment properties like to have investors on speed dial so they can get both sides of the commission.  If you become a realtor and then ask for half the commission, you won't get the phone calls with the best deals.

    2Reply
  • Jacob Borstad
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Winchester, VA · Member since 2019 · 7 posts · 7 votes
    10mo

    @Greg Scott thank you for your reply!

    Could you explain more of the downsides to the disclosures?

    0Reply
    • Jules Aton
      MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Jacob Borstad:

      @Greg Scott thank you for your reply!

      Could you explain more of the downsides to the disclosures?

       Can't speak for @Greg Scott but I rarely give a second look to properties indicating RE agent is principle. Very rudimentary but I figure they know what it is worth so unlikely to get a great deal and if it is such a good property why are they selling? 

      0Reply
    • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
      Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Jules Aton:
      Quote from @Jacob Borstad:

      @Greg Scott thank you for your reply!

      Could you explain more of the downsides to the disclosures?

       Can't speak for @Greg Scott but I rarely give a second look to properties indicating RE agent is principle. Very rudimentary but I figure they know what it is worth so unlikely to get a great deal and if it is such a good property why are they selling? 


      I am a Broker and if I heard the why are you selling one time i have heard it thousands not only when brokers are sellers but just about anyone.. So for me I dont hold inventory and have no interest in being a landlord save the few NNN investments I have ..  although I buy and sell probably 100 plus SFRs a year I dont care how good a deal i get on them I dont want to be a landlord so its just inventory to me and inventory that gets sold to others who do have the dream of being a landlord. 
      Podcast Guest on Show #222
      JLH Capital Partners51 Review
      WebsiteView Page
      3Reply
    • Greg ScottPro Member
      Rental Property Investor · SE Michigan · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 6k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Jacob Borstad:

      @Greg Scott thank you for your reply!

      "I would like to buy your house, but I am required by law to disclose I am a realtor."  I've heard that causes some sellers to balk because they think they are getting played.

      0Reply
    • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
      Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Greg Scott:
      Quote from @Jacob Borstad:

      @Greg Scott thank you for your reply!

      "I would like to buy your house, but I am required by law to disclose I am a realtor."  I've heard that causes some sellers to balk because they think they are getting played.


      Greg what I have done with that is what my Dads RE attorney taught me back in 1975.  U disclose your and agent just like this:

      "I am Licensed RE agent/Broker in ( name your state ) and I am buying this property for Profit or Loss"  boom just like that Never caused me an issue I think sellers when they see the loss part of this understand i could be making a boo boo :)
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      1Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    10mo

    Absolutely zero reason to have a license.....unless you want to be in the business of helping other people buy/sell houses. Period.

    1Reply
    • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
      Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

      Absolutely zero reason to have a license.....unless you want to be in the business of helping other people buy/sell houses. Period.


      Bruce I think it depends on what level your at and price points.. with high price properties 3% list side can be 20 to 50k and its nice having that in your pocket to further negotiations I am used it to my benefit for decades now and I have not sold retail RE in probably 20 years . I also make referrals and referral fees Legally  Not what you see with wholesalers and others. And again in high priced markets that can be 5 to 20k or more with just forwarded e mails its pretty significant money by using the business one has built.. but I get it if your only doing a deal or two a year.  But think about the 90   700k homes I built in the last 4 years and we dont need a listing agent. that about 1.5 mil saved. 
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      JLH Capital Partners51 Review
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      1Reply
    • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
      Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

      Absolutely zero reason to have a license.....unless you want to be in the business of helping other people buy/sell houses. Period.


      Bruce I think it depends on what level your at and price points.. with high price properties 3% list side can be 20 to 50k and its nice having that in your pocket to further negotiations I am used it to my benefit for decades now and I have not sold retail RE in probably 20 years . I also make referrals and referral fees Legally  Not what you see with wholesalers and others. And again in high priced markets that can be 5 to 20k or more with just forwarded e mails its pretty significant money by using the business one has built.. but I get it if your only doing a deal or two a year.  But think about the 90   700k homes I built in the last 4 years and we dont need a listing agent. that about 1.5 mil saved. 

      Jay - Of course it pencils out better at your level. I was think that the OP was closer to the average of the market and just doing a deal or two a yr for themselves as most do....

      1Reply
  • Elealeh Fulmaran
    Specialist · Member since 2025 · 483 posts · 270 votes
    10mo

    Love the momentum—you've already executed a BRRRR and you're thinking ahead. Two quick thoughts: partnerships work best with clear roles and written agreements, so decide who finds, funds, manages, and how decisions and exits happen. And becoming an agent only pays off if you'll actually use the license often; otherwise, keep a great investor‑friendly agent and focus your time on finding and operating deals.

    What problem do you want a partner to solve for you right now—capital, deal flow, construction, or management?

    1Reply
  • Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo
    Quote from @Jacob Borstad:

    I purchased our first single family house in 2020 and since then have BRRRR a second property in Februrary of this year that we are living in currently. We will be able to do a cash out refinance on the second property in February and will be looking to make a purchase in 2026 whether it be a multifamily or another single family house.

    All this being said I am wondering if there is a benefit to becoming a real estate agent in order to partner with a fellow investor that is an appraiser. We have chatted about pursuing properties together so that we each are able to bring funds to the table as well as accelerate the process as we work together. Seeking advice both on partnerships and on the idea of becoming a realtor to save on realtor fees in our partnership. 

    Thank you in advance!


     If you don't want to sell real estate truly then there isn't much value. You are better off working with a realtor that sells a lot of investment properties, gets offmarket deals, and knows what they are doing. 

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    3Reply
  • Jacob Borstad
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Winchester, VA · Member since 2019 · 7 posts · 7 votes
    10mo

    @Elealeh Fulmaran this is concisely put and makes great sense! Thank you.

    1Reply
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