Great site. A little background on me first. I was in Real Estate a few years ago. It was a good experience and i enjoyed it, but never really put much into the business.

I was mainly in transition and waiting for an Law Enforcement position. (which ended up taking 2 years to get) I put alot of financial resources into the business and was averaging 2-3 leads a day but for all the work i was doing behind the scene generating the leads, I could not produce with the potential customers.

The main problem i had was being too laid back and really thinking the potential customers would like that and set me apart from the hard-nosed closer. What i found was me laying the foundation and someone else reaping the benefits.

The other problem i had was being with a very unethical company (which is a whole other topic)and really hated to go to the office with all the drama going on with the brokers.

I find myself a different person now and live in a new area. I really want to get back into the business but trying to lay the groundwork first before i take the leap and really would have to start off part-time for now. I work in the afternoon and could dedicate the mornings and weekends to R.E until I'm established enough to go full-time.

I'm kinda rambling but any advice would be great.

When the time is right, a real estate career will work. I considered going into the business several times before I actually did it. You sound as if you are more motivated now than you were before, so maybe now is your time.

You don't have to be hard-nosed to succeed. If that isn't your personality, don't try to be someone you aren't. It won't work. You can make your own personality and temperament work for you, but you must have the confidence that you are GOOD if you don't have the aggressiveness to push. Personally, I never push people and I have no problem getting and keeping clients, because I have a quiet, can-do attitude.

Unfortunately, you can't fake it - you need to know that you are competent and resourceful and reliable and, in short, The Man For the Job. That comes from knowing your market, knowing your contracts, knowing how to get things done and problems solved.

Some of this takes time and experience, but you can certainly hurry it along with enough motivation and the right atmosphere. A GOOD mentor who thinks the way you do might make a world of difference for you.

SteveinWA

Steve, been there, done that ....and you know what they say about how "the pasture always looks greener on the other side" also "a bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush' .

Focus on your law enforcement career, that has a guaranteed income and benefits. You can also work part time in real estate and develop a farm area among your law enforcement contacts, who may trust and prefer dealing with a fellow officer.

There are no guarantees in real estate, but it will give you an opportunity for a second career after your years on the job.