I am pretty young (20 years old), and I am looking into a career path. As of right now, 4 years in college doesn't intrigue me much, but I have looked into local real estate schools, and my interest in real estate quickly grew. If anything, being an agent can help pay my way through college.

What exactly goes into getting into real estate?
From what I have gathered, you take classes, take a test to get your license, and then find a job.

Another question I have, I'm sure personal appearance is very important in real estate. Well, I have some tattoos on my arms, and plan on getting more. They can easily be covered wearing a long sleeve shirt, so I'm guessing it shouldn't be a problem?


Thanks!

OK, Julian I will start right here and just give some ideas of things to think about. While real estate is a good profession to get into, it is not an easy one. You are your own boss and must constantly motivate and promote your business. Having a business plan set up is always a good idea. Also you must have some cash reserves for when you finally get your license. If you still are with your parents right now would be a good time to take advantage of that and save some money for your first year or so. Expect to start off the bat paying around 1,500 or so in just dues and association fees(MLS,Board of Realtors) After that expect not to see that much money coming in your first year or so. Unless you are one of the few who get a few sales through your Sphere of influence. You might also want to consider joining a new development and working with them to gain some experience. Something I think might help a lot of newer agents. As far as your tattoos. While I do agree that appearance is very important in this business. It is not everything. You have to take into consideration on where your clientele will be. Are going to be working with older/higher income crowd? Or are you going to be working with younger middle income crowd? Does your SOI include a large group of tattoo professionals? Also if you present yourself in a knowledgeable and professional way this will, a lot of times over come whatever first impressions they may have by any tattoos that they see because you can't cover them up. If they do judge you in a negative way you probably do not want to work with that kind of buyer/seller anyway. I hope some of this helps. I know a lot more of us will chime in later on. Welcome and good luck!

Julian, if it's a J-O-B you're interested in... apply at Walmart.

"Well, I have some tattoos on my arms, and plan on getting more. They can easily be covered wearing a long sleeve shirt, so I'm guessing it shouldn't be a problem?"

Guess again. Think about it for a minute or two... why would ANYONE trust their largest investment sale or purchase to someone that lacks the maturity to avoid marring their body with permanent ink.

WOW, I will not even comment to the last reply, as not to attack anyone....Back to you Julian, I am a newer agent who got into the real estate field after finishing college. There are definitly advantages and disadvantages to both. I have been lucky and had a successful first year. I would accredit most of this to college, not because of my education I received but because of the contacts I made. I got inot real estate beacuse I did not want a 9-5 desk job. I think it was the best decision I could have made. I wish I would have started prior to college, not to replace school, but to do with school. I got a business degree, which allows me to work with a lot of professionals on their level. Being able to be respected by your potential clients will aloow them to have that trust in you. As for your tatoos now, although I do not have any, I have nothing against them. If nobosy knows they are there they will never come into play, once you have gained the respect and trust of a client they will not mind. Good luck to you.

Julian,

My granddaughter has lots of tattoos, but like yours, she has made sure to locate them where they can be covered up. I'm not a tattoo fan, but I didn't feel it would interfere with her success in the real estate business as long as she didn't show them.

She was going to join me in my business as a combination buyer's agent and administrative assistant, but she had a change of heart midway through the 60 hour training. She decided she wanted a steady job with a paycheck she can count on and benefits. It's too bad as I think she would have been good at this business. She has great sales skills and is very intelligent and people love to talk to her.

Please rethink not going to college. That is my granddaughter's biggest regret now that she is in her mid-20's. I was allowing her to live with me rent free as long as she went to college, but she refused to go and instead went to work at an insurance company in a dead end job -- like you, she just wasn't interested at the time. Now that she's out in the real world earning a living she looks at what she's earning compared to her sister who went to college. The starting salaries were $10,000 apart and now the gap is widening as their careers progress.

I'd recommend that you start out working at a salaried job in real estate as an administrative assistant and if you decide you really like the business, then save up the money and go for your license and be prepared to pay all the fees. I'd recommend you specialize in rentals and condos or work in the sales office of a new condo complex. Your customers will likely be young people who will be comfortable working with another young person.

Lots of good info so far.

You need to know that you only make what you earn through commissions. It is totally up to you to make business happen so that you can get paid.

As for the tattoos, just cover them up when you need to. On the flip side of that, I would roll up my sleeves and hit every tattoo place in town with my business card.

The nature of your tattoos can play a part here too. If you have swastikas, prison tats and dramatic depictions of human sacrifice, you might try a little harder to cover those suckers up.

If you have interesting tattoos that just look good, you could even decide to sort of make that your "schtick". Keep in mind that some business will not come your way because of this, but some will. I have noticed that agents who embrace a "Schtick" can really turn that into name recognition and transactions. Here are some "Schticks" I have either seen myself or heard about:

- The Brit - Immigrated from england. Wore english flag vests all the time. Came to be known locally as "The British Guy".
- Scooter Dude - Always drove around on a vespa that had his contact info on it. Including goofy helmet.
- Contortionist Gal - She could get into those way crazy positions you see at the circus. She had a photo of her doing that as her promo shot. She had some slogan that went with it... something like "Bending over backward for her clients" or something like that.


Okay... so that is a few. But the point is that each of these folks either invented or had something unique that they could use as a anchor point of recognition in peoples minds.

Okay... I cannot believe tattoos took me down this path of advice, but there it is. I'll shut up now.

Good Luck,
R

I am a college graduate who is working full-time, making a career change after 8 years in a different industry. I am going to get my real estate license this year, however, I do not believe that I have the financial resources to go full-time the first year. I am single, so mine is the sole income, and while my salary covers all my (admittedly modest) needs, I still live paycheck to paycheck.

The strong impression I get from online research and talking to real estate companies is that unless you are wealthy enough to have a year's income stashed away, you can not begin a real estate career. Is this a correct impression, and if so, can anyone comment on being a part-time agent to start?

The TRUTH about college,business owners far outearn the doctors ,lawyers,scientistis,etc.

Yes if you do a menial job you will start out at 10,000 more pay with an associates degree and even more with a masters.On average people are changing careers every 5 years,the days of loyalty and security of a paycheck are gone.

Use to you could work for a company for 30 years,give them your heart and soul and have a comfortable retirement.Now companies are moving overseas,downsizing,putting triple workloads on the backs of the maerican workers for the same salaries which leads to shortened life spans,divorce,infedelity,and poor quality of life.

I made straight a's in school but after 2 years of college quickly realized this wasn't the path for me.I have always wanted to be an entreprenuer and what i learned in the real world was way more valuable than theory taught in a classroom.

There are no steady jobs anymore,people need to get that out of your heads right now.If a company is going to ride my butt and make me do triple the work for the same salary then i am much better off having my own business and reaping the rewards for my work and controlling my own destiny.


People mention college is so great,they don't mention the massive student loans that put people in debt for years and years even when they start a family and have kids and make money in there careers.

All true. And I wouldn't trade my college years for anything. There's nothing like that 4-year fantasy ride, meeting ALL kinds of crazy people. Having all kinds of crazy fun. And learning all kinds of neat stuff. Getting into all kinds of trouble. Falling into all kinds of love. It was worth it on so many levels. I finished paying off my massive college loans in my 30's. It was worth every penny to have had the experience.

Julian,

Are you an outgoing person? Do you know a lot of people? As Robert mentioned, is the tatted & pierced community something you could tap into?

If you don't have a lot of money to invest & don't have any reserves to help pay your monthly bills then it can be a real tough career choice. You own your own business so talk to someone who started their own business. You need capital to start.

You have to be outgoing. You need good organizational skills, customer service skills & sales skills. Yes, I dare say SALES SKILLS...
................S A L E S................

It's great that real estate interests you but that's not enough. If you don't have a lot of money to invest in marketing and/or don't know a lot of people, etc then you need to be talking to everyone & knocking on By Owner doors to get listings. Is that something you can see yourself doing? I have a friend who had very little money to start. From day one he was knocking on doors. Sold $5million his first year which isn't too bad.

BTW.. I went to college for 1 year & then dropped out. I don't regret it. Unless you have aspirations to have a career that requires a 4yr degree+, then yes. Many of our friends that are successful never went to college. My husband didn't either. He is a computer network engineer for a local hospital. His career path only required a little technical training & a measly Microsoft Certificate to get his foot in the door. It really depends on you Julian. Not everyone is college material. It doesn't mean you can't be successful.

What may hinder your career is the lack of "life" experience. You are only 20. Do you feel you are mature enough to be handling the biggest investment of someone's life? I'm not sure if I could've done it at 20. So maybe going the builder route or paid assistant would be a good place to start.

1) College is about more than just preparing yourself to make money. It's an education and that is worthwhile regardless of the money.

2) Tattoos are a sign of immaturity, defiance, and/or rebellion to many people. They're only "cool" to a very small minority of people and that will only get worse as you get older. I suggest you never get another tattoo as long as you live and that you strongly consider having the ones you have now surgically removed.

JFlynn,

You provided one of the most narrow minded responces I have seen on this board. You are close minded and should be ashamed of yourself for judging someone as immature.

First of all I said tattoos are a sign of immaturity "to many people" which is just the way it is. I didn't personally call the guy immature (although I bet he is as are most 20 year olds especially those with tattoos), but I can guarantee that most people would think he is if he has an arm full of tattoos.

Being called immature at 20 is not necessarily a bad thing, chill out.

Tattoos have a certain image, and that's for a good reason.

Jason,
You are forgetting all the people in the military that get unit tatoos to show their pride. Most of those are not doing it as a sign of immaturity. Ink is not bad as long as it is tasteful or concealed when wearing business casual.

Julian,
Get that college degree there are some great real estate oriented programs available now.

You should also look at real estate investment. Starting at a young age is a great way to go. Instead of buying that condo or small house for a first property consider looking into a duplex. Live in half and have your renter make your payments!

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I didn't forget that at all - I have buddies in or that were in the military. That's not the impression I get from this guy but I could be wrong. I also stand by my observation that the general public finds tattoos to be a sign of immaturity and rebellion.

There are always exceptions blah blah blah ... but in general tattoos are a way for people to thumb their nose at authority. I'm not saying that's bad - in sports or entertainment it can be a good thing - but in something like real estate sales it's not going to be a big help unless you get really creative in spinning it to overcome the problem.