Good Time to Become a Real Estate Agent?
Becoming a licensed real estate agent can be an attractive and exciting proposition. We all here how “overpaid” they are, it looks so easy and with so many fewer Realtors from Connecticut to San Diego and the market picking up it does appear to be an appealing to jump on the boat. For the average Joe or Jane and the aspiring property investor getting a real estate license can seem like a good way to make more money, learn the ropes of the industry, save money on buying or selling a home and even find leads on discounted investment properties. It can do those things but few may realize what being a Realtor is really like or what it really costs as well as how little the average real estate agent makes. In fact the average agent likely still makes less than $35,000 a year, with many making just $20,000 or less than working at McDonalds. It could be cheaper and more rewarding to get straight into real estate investing… By all means America needs good, ethical agents and a few do make great money. Plus more real estate agents can mean less direct competition for investors. If dressing up, going to an office every day and working for a big name brand is your aspiration then check into it but there is no salary, paychecks can be few and far between and it costs a lot to be a Realtor. However, if what you really desire is more money, fast money, financial freedom and a better way of life then consider investing in a good real estate investing education program and going straight into investing in real estate instead.
Is this a good time to become a real estate agent or is there a better option?