I'm new here and would appreciate any advice. I've had my RE license since the early 90's, but only did it part-time. My goal is to move to AZ by the end of the year and make the switch from pharmaceutical sales to real estate. Am I crazy? I am torn....

Pharmaceutical sales pays really well, has great hours and benefits (free car, computer, cell phone, gas, 401K). However, I am not challenged and will never make much more than 100K a year. The job is highly micro-managed and not really very exciting.

I envision real estate to be more fulfilling - the harder I work, the more I will be rewarded. I would love to hear from anyone that has made the switch and can offer some insight.

Haven't made the switch as I have always been self-employed.

The real question is do you love your job but just not the celing you are hitting with income???If that's the case you might be better off keeping your job with 60 million plus baby boomers retiring you have serious job security .Then you can take your money and invest it and make it grow.You make much more money investing in real estate than with closing sales for 98 percent of the agents out there.Minimum income for an agent is around 30k a year.jmho

Agreeing with super realtor, not only does the typical agent gross about 30K per year, that's with no car allowance, no computer or cell phone, no gas, no medical insurance, no 401K, no employer funding half your social security, and before paying MLS dues and any money spent for self-promotion or advertising. Let's put it this way: would you like to trade positions with me? I'll take your job in a heartbeat!

If you've had your license since the early 90's, you know enough to know if you want to get out of your secure job and into the highs and lows of a Real Estate career. This is the last place to ask that question. Probably 80% of the people on this board are the "typical" agent making 30K or below. Sorry if that offends anyone...but you know it's true. The only person that can answer your question is the person you see in the mirror everyday. If you decide to dive in to the jungle full time, then do it all the way and work hard every day to be the Best...not the Rest. Good luck.

I'll take your job, gosh it is so hard to get to be a pharm sales rep, i have been trying for some time now.

stay with it, benefits, constant paycheck, you cant beat it, the market is very unstable now.

be happy and enjoy, it is cut throat out here.

You should keep your current job and sell real estate. You should use your free company car, gas, cell phone and computer for real estate too. You have all the tools already!

Besides the constant paycheck if you are a sales rep like a couple friends of mine were you don't really have to do any real sales. Just handing out samples and buying the office lunch. You might do more then that. But this is what my friends said their job consisted of.

You've got it partially correct. The job is delivering samples, doing lunches and SELLING your products. This is a sales job with monthly quotas that must be attained or you are out on the streets very quickly. It's a relationship sell. Developing solid relationships with doctors and their staff is the key to being successful. I know I have a great job, I just think I am capable of so much more. I'll probably stick with it for now and do the RE thing part-time once I move to AZ (if my company will let me relocate). Thanks everyone for the advice.