I have posted here before about starting as a real estate agent. Right now with school and still working I don't know that I have the time to take real estate classes too. Although I want to.

Here is my thing, is being a real estate agent even a good career to start right now?

I mean you here about the housing market being bad right now. And who knows how long it will be like that.

That's a concern for me right now. Would this be a wise career field to try and break into right now?

I would say it would be very difficult to get started as a Real Estate agent now in this market. Unless you happen to know of a number of people(family/friends) who are motivated to buy/sell in the near future. You could just start out part time and learn a little bit.

Stop. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

First, not all parts of the country have a "bad" real estate market. Beyond California, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan and Florida, most of the U.S. has had a reasonable year -- until very recently. Some markets are good or pretty good (much of the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, parts of the Midwest, Texas, etc.). Mine is very solid.

Second, people's views are heavily tainted by the recent pause caused by the mortgage bit. Have the last couple months been a slow? Sure. Will that last? No (In fact, in much of the U.S., pendings are beginning to rise). We've had similar bumps after 9/11, the stock market hits of the 1990s, etc. Guess what. They end.

Third, with the economy solid, interest rates modest and continued growth in the age groups that buy, we will see moderate growth in sales and prices about even nationally next year. The talk of a slump should fade by Summer as sales begin to work back up a bit. Those who talk of a general collapse are sucking helium.

Fourth, mortgage issues are really pretty limited. 100% loans, low doc liar loans and subprimes have pretty much disappeared. So what. The basic loan products -- VA, FHA and conventional --- that supported most markets until 3 years ago are still there, still accessible and rates are superb.

All real estate is local. Analyze your local market. Not in the news coverage which is undoubtedly focused on the national stories. Instead, go into your local association office and ask how many properties have sold this year. Compare that the the year before and the year before that. Look beyond the last couple months. In all likelihood, you'll be surprised.

If you do surf don't stop.

If you don't surf don't start.

Same with real estate.

It's a great time for starting in real estate if:

--you either have savings to pay your bills and related costs for 6 to 12 months OR you have a part time job that is flexible and pays well enough for you to survive off that income for 6 to 12 months

--you understand that not "just anyone" can survive in this business. You have to be creative, forward thinking, able to think out of the box, have patience, ambition, and have vision.

--you need to be driven to learn how to do better, constantly.

--you need to know you will be in an office that is supportive of newbies with a broker who actually wants you to succeed and is willing to train you (or find an experienced, successful agent willing to let you shadow & learn from)

--you actually know something about using computers and are comfortable working with programs like contract programs, as well as the Flex.

--you can take excellent photographs or are willing to hire someone who can.

---you are willing to work hard and constantly keep learning.

--you have a good working knowledge of English grammar.

--you are willing to work hard and constantly keep learning.

--you understand that it's normal to not have an income for several months.

--you do not give up easily.

--you are willing to work hard and constantly keep learning.

There are many in this field who have none of the above but they survive on their longevity.

I'm in Greenville SC and the market here is one of the better ones. So "you hear about the real estate market being bad" due to the media. And in general, its slowed down, correcting, etc. In some parts of the country, CA, FL, etc, you have very bad markets. It depends on where youre at and how big your sphere of influence is, and yes, all of the above mentioned comments should all be taken into consideration. But there are many people who are not the typical RE personality types that do just fine.

I agree, you don't have to have a typical "RE personality" to succeed - in fact, such a thing may work against you. You do need to be tenacious though: if you are one prone to giving up easily, you won't make it. If you can not think outside of the box a little, you probably won't make it. If you think this career is an easy piece of cake way to make lots of money, you better think twice.

My real estate career started with the real estate crash in 1989 and all of the S&L scandals.

If you can make it during the slow times it will be a piece of cake during the good times.

You are in control of your own destiny. For most I would say it is not a good idea. However, if you are willing to give it everything you've got, then you will make it and thrive when things improve.

Everyone says that they give it there all, the problem is very few actually do.

I would say its not your time if you have to ask.

No, it is not a good time to get in. Only if you like catching falling knives.

I say its worth a shot. Who knows, you might be good at selling real estate.

While things are slow, it is a great time to learn! When the market picks up, it's harder to find the time or to ask for help.

When I started out in the early 90's the market was pretty rough here in So Cal. I kept my full-time job, and worked as a Realtor part-time. I worked the swing shift on my regular job, so I was able to make the juggling act work.

After getting off work in the morning, I'd jam home, eat, shower, put on a tie and be at my real estate office by noon. I'd work for 4-6 hours doing real estate, and then head back home to get some sleep and get ready to start the whole routine over again the next day.

After a year, I was making more money in real estate than I was with my regular job, so at that point I jumped into the business full-time.

The moral of the story is, "Keep your day job, until you figure out the game". Otherwise, there might be a lot of macaroni and cheese in your future. Good Luck!

There is not bad time to start, you just need to know how to work in different market conditions. Choose a broker who will teach you.

Good luck!