What are the good/bad points of becoming a real estate agent?

Question

I'm thinking of taking courses online to get my license.

Answer 1

Real estate is the HIGHEST paying hard job, and the lowest paying easy job.

Answer 2

The good points is that you are your own boss, so to speak. However much you put in is what you'll receive. Work hard & you'll be rewarded. Be prepared to work very hard the 1st 2 years building your reputation. Bad points are that it is 24/7, mostly evenings & weekends, however, if you are single or married w/no children then you'll you do fine. It's when there are kids that you have to weigh your time, money & if you're willing to sacrifice missing out on a lot of kid time when they are little. You are in business for yourself so you are responsible for lots of fees up front like mls dues, dues to your board of realtors, sometimes fees to rent from broker, advertising of yourself & your sellers, gas (you will be driving ALOT w/clients, open houses, getting yourself aquainted w/the area so you are well informed when you talk to clients etc.), well kept car, nice wardrobe (your appearance is everything), monthly dues to your broker & many other fees. However, if you have a spouse or you have money that can support you while waiting 2-3 months between paychecks then you will do just fine. I got my license a year before I had kids & everyone told me that I would not make any money until 2 years b/c of all the expenses you will incur those 2 years but I had a husband that was very supportive & would go with me usually in the evenings & weekends so we still got to see each other & by the end of my first year I sold over 1 million. The 2nd year over 2 million & had referrals left & right. 3rd & 4th year I was selling close to 4 million & that was mostly from referrals only. I quit when baby #2 came b/c we were not going to put our kids in daycare & to work the business to make money you would have too b/c you are still working alot during the day just to maintain your business. Not worth it to us. If you are a go getter you will do fine. You will never know if its for you until you try it. Good luck.

Answer 3

If you want to be a real estate agent then go for it I'll fully support you on your decision, but there are good and bad points: good points: You'll have a job, paying clients, and a business, bad points: your clients not paying you, no one interested in what your selling, and if your sale prices waver different times of the year! Anyways I think you'll be just fine, take the course and if you don't like it then on to the next, who's to stop you-NOBODY! Do you and have fun doing it okay!

Answer 4

Good points
If you are good you can make a lot of money.
You get to see lots of houses
Bad points:
Hours are 24/7 whenever you are needed but mostly nights and weekends.
Commissions are paid after the house closes so you won't get a first commission for months even if you sell on day one.
No steady pay but you have steady expenses.
You pay for desk space, advertising, fuel, keeping a decent car, coffee or soda for customers, maps, MLS and dozens of other cost.
It is hard to become good at selling so you may not be excellent for years.
When the market is tough the newbies wash out so you only have the good ones left.

Answer 5

The best point is being in business for yourself.
Bad points? Well for starters, business expenses start before you get your first deal. Being on a commission basis can be really good in a hot market, or really bad in a cold market.
But, I love it myself!!
Good luck!!