Hi,
I'm considering the idea of going to a real estate school, and becoming an agent. I live in the Nashville, TN area. I am presently, in a very dead end career, truck driving, and I'm sick of it and the constant away from home traveling that it requires. If you don't keep those wheels rolling, you don't earn anything, and its getting dangerous, and its not good for a person's health.

My approach to this has been to get myself set up in a career whereby, I can live comfortably, assuming I would be even successful. But, I don't want to be blinded by the hoopla of possible 6 figure incomes. Even with my past experiences in life in other totally unrelated fields, that were mostly service oriented yet totally customer service oriented, I'm wondering if I can do this.

I've read a few threads, but I may be in the wrong message board, since I'm not a trained agent yet, just strongly considering the choice. I know generally that the 1st year is hardest as far as any real income, so that part I understand, but my question is, would I be even considered at a real estate office for consideration of being "hired" based on my advanced years and beginner experience level?

Thanks, Hankll

"would I be even considered at a real estate office for consideration of being "hired" based on my advanced years and beginner experience level?"


Yes they will hire you if you get a license. Infact go interview them before you do anything. Ask them if they will give you a chance? Most brokers will hire anybody they can who is licenced. By the way I had a blue collar background before I started. You can do it nobody can stop you but you. Good luck.

First off-

THis is a sales career. Have you ever sold anything?

If not, read lots of books on selling before you decide. Not just real estate sales, but sales in general.

The next step is to study the industry in detail. Buy some books, look on this site, look at other sites, and talk to as many people as possible.

Realize that you will not make any money for the first 3-6 months in the business AT LEAST. You have to be ready to cover your experiences off the hip during this time.

Your self-discipline will be tried- Even the most disciplined person finds themselves occasionally slacking off. This must not happen in the first year of your career. If I was starting out again, I would dedicate at least four hours a day, six days a week to prospecting and getting my name out there.

Your age is definitely NOT a disadvantage. YOu will most likely not be an employee, but an independent contractor.

You do not get "Hired" as a real estate agent... you are normally not an employee and have no benefits as such. You are an independent contractor and you receive No money until you get something sold... then you will receive a split of that from the brokerage that receives the commissions.

Not at all as a joke... but I know of 4 real estate agents who have changed careers and gone to truck driver school for more security and better pay. Few people who enter real estate are successful... about 3% of those that enter are still around in 2 years. You have to pre plan and have sufficient funds available to not only live on for about 6 months to a year but to start your real estate marketing, join the association, pay other fees and assessments your brokerage may have such as desk fees.

You are smart not to be blinded by the illusion of huge incomes... they are rare. Latest National Association of Realtors surveys indicate most new agents make well under $28,000 for the first two years... then most (97%) drop out and a new crop pops in for the huge incomes.

only about 20% of real estate agents make very good livings... the other 80% are often at subsistence level and often need other income which hurts their real estate activities.

Know what you are actually getting into... for most people real estate is a dead end business because they failed to prepare financially or with business related abilities or were unqualified to perform the needed tasks in marketing. I have a good friend that is very close to right when she says that being a success in real estate is like becoming a movie star... many want to be, but very few ever make it.

Thanks to all for your very valuable advice and input. I have already read the stats and was already feeling as though I might jump into the frying pan. As a truck driver, contrary to popular belief, I don't do bad as far as income, but not good, either. With my wife's full time job we do ok. Probably better than most truck driver families, in that I bring home all of my check instead of spending it away on truckstop food and video games and other "expendatures" that so many drivers out there do.


However with not much savings in the bank, it'd probably not be a good idea at this time.
Guess I'm not ready to test the water, just yet.

Oh I feel for that guy deciding to go into trucking, he'll feel good for about a year or maybe two, then he'll wish he hadn't wasted his time and loss of his family time. More truck drivers don't see their children grow up and end up missing all the important things that happens at home while thy are gone, to keep them wheels a turning! At least I'm a company driver, when I do decide to jump out from behind the wheel, I can just jump and not worry about the leased truck and all the expenses, and just focus on what lays ahead.

Thanks again for the advice, and as we say out there on the road, "Happy Trails, and be safe"

Hankll

Qualitys that indicate you could make it:

Smart
Focused
Disciplined
Confident, and look it
Thick-skinned
Persuasive
Good looking
Well-dressed
Detail-oriented
Technologically oriented
You know what you are talking about AND you LOOK like you know what you are talking about
Know houses inside and out
Know real estate contract law inside and out
Know home financing inside and out

Prepared to not make any STEADY money for 2 years. NOT 6 months, not 1 year, but 2 years.

Your customers come first, your family/leisure life come second (at least for the first couple of years, after that you are more in control once you are IN DEMAND because you are so good)

What`s interesting about a Real Estate career is that people from all walks of life can succeed in this business if you actually have a "Game Plan". I have seen cab drivers, street vendors, IT executives etc do very well in the RE business because they understood the need of marketing,networking, working very long hours and follow-up.
These are the qualitlites that will lead you on the right path to enjoy success in our profession.
Good Luck.