All Forum Posts by: Brady Boyer

@Christopher Phillips Thanks for this information.  This is very helpful.  Would you recommend seeking out at a broker prior to taking the course and the test?

I have been researching and am considering getting my real estate salesperson license in New York. I know this is a widely debated topic on BiggerPockets, and I have no intention of ever being a real estate agent full time. However, I am considering get licensed to have access to the MLS and being able to view properties whenever I want. I also have aspirations of some day owning a real estate management company which is another reason why I would like to get my salespersons license (and eventually potentially my brokers license).

I have a couple of questions below, and I was hoping the community would be able to answer them:

1.) Do you think the above reasons are valid reasons for getting a license? Specifically, I am interested in the MLS reason because I have heard that this isn't a huge advantage anymore because you can search MLS listings on Zillow or similar online sites. What is your opinion on this?

2.) How does the MLS access work? Would I be given access to the MLS upon completion of the real estate course (75 hours in NY) and passing of the state exam? Or is this something that I would have to receive from a broker? Is there any type of monthly or annual fee associated with access to the MLS?

3.) Is there an experience component to receive the license in NY? For example are you required to work under a broker for a certain amount of time prior to being able to receive the license? I haven't been able to find any information on this topic on the internet.

4.) I am interested in doing an online, self-study course to fulfill the real estate course (75 hour) requirement. Does anyone have any recommendations on courses?

5.) How hard is it to transfer licenses between states/ maintain licenses in multiple states and what would this entail?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Brady 

I am looking to learn more about construction, acting as a general contractor, and project management. Does anyone have any books they recommend on these topics or any other methods that I can use to increase my knowledge in these topic areas? 

@Emmanuel Jr Thanks for the advice.  I appreciate it. 

@Trent Honea @Dan Schwartz @Mike Hanneman Thanks for the advice guys.  Really appreciate it. 

@Joe Splitrock @Arianne L.  Thanks for the advice.  Yes, I do agree that it makes it much easier to invest when you don't have to worry about student debt hanging over your head.  I think that this is the route that I will take as I am afraid to get into the NY market where real estate is expensive and not be able to make end meet.  If I wasn't in NY I think I would attempt to do both at the same time but due to the high cost it is a risk I don't think I want to take.  The current interest rate is 6.5% fixed.  Thanks for the help. 

@Jacob Pereira Thanks for the advice.  Yes, I definitely will max out my 401k contribution before doing anything else.  The high cost of real estate in New York does make me very nervous to get into a strategy such as that without knowing that it is an absolute home run.  Thanks for the help.  

@Christopher Drummond Yea, I've also read a couple of Dave Ramsey's books and I think he has a good plan set up for people to get out of debt and helping them build up a savings.  Thanks for the suggestion.   

@David Dachtera Thanks, I like it!  Never really considered that as an option.  

@Account Closed Yes, I do agree with you to some extent that it is best to get that loan paid off as quickly as possible.  I think I may want to look at saving more in the 5%-10% range.  Thanks for the advice.