“Invest in your self” I have heard this quote many times in my life said a few different ways but all the same meaning. I have been really thinking about this more and more the last few months. Let me give you some back story on me. I have done quite a few different jobs in my short life so far and have been somewhat successful I have owned a few businesses but for one thing or another it hasn’t lasted mostly due to the reason of partners or listening to bad advice when I was younger. I have had this bug to get into real estate for quite some time and have talked myself out of it for many reasons. I even started the classes in 2006 and never finished them and I can’t think of the reason now. I have been employed at my current job for four years and have been unhappy for most of my employment here. Not to mention it is going nowhere fast there is no advancement. I took the job because my family said it would be a steady job with descent pay and benefits. I agree that is always good I’m not arguing that aspect of it. I have the belief that you also need to be happy what’s the point of having that job if you are unhappy and don’t enjoy doing it. Now on to my question, I know this has been beat up on this site and many people have gave there two cents and it has been good info. I am looking for responses from mostly the people doing real estate in Arizona but all comments are wanted and welcomed. I will be starting my real estate classes in August at the college here locally and really looking forward to it. I would like to know if the market is here to change careers like this or is the market just flat. I have kicked it around for a while and talked to my wife. It’s just hard to leave that steady paycheck with two kids and talking about having another. This may have been just a little vent session instead of a question but please comment anyways. Thanks and best wishes to all!!!

Your story sounds similar to mine. Although I am rather young yet I have also gotten my feet wet in the business world. I have owned two businesses, one a success and the other not so much. Right now, my current business I feel is not truly what I want to do although I have no doubts I can make an honest living doing it. I am just now going through my licensing process and expect to be an agent within a month.

One thing that I know has helped me greatly in the recent years is to follow my gut. I have turned off the television and stopped listening to all the media's claims that the sky is falling- I refuse to be a chicken little like the majority of the population! Some may find that stupid but I honestly believe that you have to be radical in what you do- especially if you are going into business for yourself. So if my advice or opinion matters at all regarding your question about the market I would suggest you sell out to whatever you decide to pursue. Real estate or simply business for that matter is about the pursuit of the greatest reward, which in your case doesn't seem to be all about the money and materialistic things, rather your want/need to do something you might enjoy.

That is kind of a sag-way into the subject of your thread; "Invest in Yourself". I was always second guessing every action and decision I made. I constantly found myself doubting my abilities and getting distracted from the things that truly mattered. As cliche as this may sound to some individuals I started reading self help books. We have all heard of them, the pump you up and get your mind right boot camp books designed to flushing out all your bad characteristics and replacing them with "positive thinking". Truth is, in my case, it save me from a world of pain. Also, listening to CD's are a great way to invest in your mind. I am a great fan of Dr. John C Maxwell and his teachings. You can find his website and sign up for a "daily word" that will help you contemplate your position as a person every morning prior to going out into the world. Go pick up "The Magic of Thinking Big" and read it- that book by far has helped me the most.

Lastly, whatever you decide to do I believe that the greatest asset you can have as a business owner is to know your limits. It is so easy to get such a large ego and think that you are bullet proof and capable of handling every project that is set before you. Seek mentorship and ask questions to a qualified individual who has walked the path before you.

I wish the best of luck to you and your family and to the success of whatever you decide to do.

Best Wishes,
MC

Thank you for the reply!!!!

Once you have kids, it's not about your happiness or your dreams. They are unimportant and need to go on the backburner. All the way back. You will make little or no money in real estate for the first 2-5 years. Little, or none. Understand that completely. You need 2-3 years of living expenses put away to accommodate the fact that you will make little, or no, money in real estate for the first 2-5 years. Then, you need capital to start your real estate business. It takes a lot of money to be successful in real estate. I wouldn't start without $30,000 in the bank exclusively allocated to real estate activities.

So DO NOT quit a job that is providing income for your family under any circumstances. And if the job is also providing health benefits for your family, the arguments are cubed. Real estate is a terrible, godawful idea for a young father with no money saved up who already has a steady job with benefits. The lack of money in the early years is bad enough, the stress that comes from making little or no money will have insidious effects on your family and your psyche. Picture it 6 months after you start: You will have cashed one or two putridly small commission checks, you will be working long hours, especially on weekends, making no money, and your wife will be looking at you like you are a poisonous snake. And you know what? She will be right.