I am rather interested in becoming a sales agent, though I have a few concerns. I have a family, home, various expenses. I would definitely not want to drop my stable salary position to pursue real estate full time right when I get my license. I'm thinking about taking the classes and getting my license, and starting out part time to see how things go. I would like to possibly end up as a full time agent but am afraid of taking the "plunge" without feeling reassured I'm making a sound decision. I have a very high drive, motivation, superb customer service skills, etc. I think I'd be a great match for this line of work. . I'd especially like to hear from those that have started out part time and how that's going.

You are used to WORKING at a JOB and collecting a check. To run a business you have to be a self starter,out of the box thinker, and never quit.

You will need 6 months to 12 months of your monthly salary now before quitting and going full time to give you the best shot.

Most businesses fail not because they are bad ideas but because most are undercapitalized and do not have the funds to invest in infrastructure to grow.About 85 percent of agents fail the first year,the rest out of that eek a living and then a select few make the big money.

The question is WHY do you want to become a sales agent? Do you enjoy calls at all hours of the day at the most inconvenient times? Do you want to have no Holdiays off and go to listings appointments at night and on the weekends and forsake your own friends and family?

The real question is do you want to get a license to invest or dabble in real estate as a hobby? It's fine if you do and I have mnay agents who do this. Their commission on2 to 3 deals a year is 12k but they make 60k profit from investing in a years time.

So just really think about where you want to take this and design a plan of action from there.

^^actually the no holidays off really would depend on the market that you live in. If it's primarily primary homes, instead of vacation homes, you can get away with not working on holidays and possibly even weekends.

You do have to be willing to work HARD and work a LOT. I've earned more money since January of this year than I have ever earned in a year working anywhere else - but let me tell you it did not come easy and I have sometimes worked 10 - 12 days in a row.

On call at all hours because if the buyer sees something and you're not available they WILL call someone who is...buyer agency agreements are only worth while if you have the time to pursue people and make sure they didn't buy with another agent...who has time to chase their tail like that?

That said, it can be very rewarding and enjoyable. I love selling real estate - but it's not unusual for me to be out from 8 in the morning till 8 at night, spending hundreds of dollars in gas....to have a buyer say "We decided to buy this cheap little lot that will get you about $100 in commission when all is said and done, because we don't like any of the 50 houses you showed us..." LOL

Then again you may have a guy call up out of the blue and say I want to look at this house, ($520,000) and if I like it, I will make a cash offer tonight....and he does. (true story, but not quite that cut and dried, it was a little more complicated..lol. Had I told the guy "No way, I'm not meeting you at 7pm to look at this, let's meet tomorrow" he would have called another agent...and that agent would be collecting a huge commission in about 3 weeks.....)

I've been a Realtor since January and have 3 listings and working with 3 buyers. I haven't made any money yet but have paid alot (board dues, MLS dues, office fees, gas, ink for the printer and tons of time. In Indiana it costs about $2500 a year for all fees. That said, I do love it. I work out of my home, work for a great company with a great managing broker, have a great mentor, and can make my own schedule. But you may think you have the next day free then your buyer calls up and wants to see 8 homes. Well there went your day but if you don't show them the houses, someone will. Some agents out there call agents like me a "Pop-Tart" agent but that's ok. Somedays i'm on the computer all day and I do get burned out. For me, I couldn't do this part-time but everyone is different. I'm really not trying to sound negative but it's much different than I thought it would be. Good Luck with your decision.

Until you are willing to take the plunge and forgo the "stable" paycheck. You'll hear your success will be tird to what you put into your business, it's true; once in a while luck factors in, but thats a bonus.

I did this as a teacher about 10 years back. Licensed as agent in Feb. and classes were over in June. Collected 2 school checks after that. So I had a transition. I was totally commited to the switch. I had given my letter of intent to the School system I would not return. You need to be committed to the switch, otherwise you will never take the chances you need to take to make it work. But keep the steady paycheck flowing as long as possible. Discuss it with your current boss and let him/her know you would like to transition out. Perhaps you'll be surprised at how it will work in your favor.

Best advise is to behave like a 747 trying to take off. Work your hardest from the start or you won't make it off the ground. Once you get up there you can breath a little and set course.

Now is a good time to learn the fundys. Good luck to you. Very cool profession.