I am sure people ask this all the time, but I really need advice. I really want a career change. Right now I own a mobile dog grooming business that I operate part time from my home. I am going to profit around $10,000 this year. I have 2 kids. One will start school next fall. That is why I am part time and I am successful and don't have to market my business except online.

I have called a local school (Oklahoma) and it takes 8 weeks to complete the course. If I sign on with them the will refund the cost of the course. There is also a detailed agreement that I can elect to do where I am guaranteed 30,000 my first year if I work full time. It is still comissions, so if I sell $25,000 in homes at the end of the year they cut me a check for $5,000. So far that is all I know.

I have heard that real estate can be profitable, but I also have people telling me that sales are down. Mind you these people aren't in the business. So I was wanting some real agent's advice. I can either go full time and put the kids in daycare (while working my business part time to pay for the daycare), or I can start out slow while still working my business and working toward selling real estate. Any advice? How much a month or year does it cost to be a realtor? Is it worth it?

I love watching HGTV and all that. I love looking at cute homes and think I would like to sell them.

Thanks!

It's cheap and quick to get a license. Feel free to try it out, your investment is low.

However, if you're in OK, don't get hung up on these TV shows in California and New York where everybody's selling $500k houses. You likely won't be doing that in your market.

RE is very tough and very competitive. You'll be surprised at the amount of work you put in and the 100% commission business can be a difficult adjustment.

I'm not saying "don't do it" but I would encourage you to give it a lot of consideration and do your due diligence in researching the matter. It's certainly not the "easy money" they make it look like on TV.

Good Luck!

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Denton Real Estate is the premiere website for home buyers in the North Texas area. If you're looking for Denton, Tx Real Estate, find your way home at DentonRealEstate.com.

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't really looking at it that way on tv. I am going by two of my clients who are realtors. they have nice homes and seem successful. One's wife is a home decorator. The other realtor is a lady but I don't know what her husband does. They have a hummer, etc. I can't ask them about it cause I groom their dogs! I don't want them to doubt if I am going to be around for them since I haven't made up my mind. I do know from tv that real estate here is lower than in California, etc. A house in California that is 5K may only be 150K here. This is just what I have observed. We do have many 5k homes here but they may be 1M+ in California! I think if I could make more than I make now that it may be worth it. Still considering.
Thanks for the help!

Oh. We are also experiencing a buyers market here.

The best advice I ever got (and could ever give) is be prepared to make nothing for at least 8 months. A successful real estate business is built on past business and that's something you cannot get until you've been at it for a while.
Despite what people may think, being a Realtor is not a "get rich quick" program. If you are comfortable making peanuts for a while until you can reap the benefits then go for it.
Once you start though.....don't quit!

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Jeff Hill
RE/MAX Property Source
6940 Villagreen View
Rockford, IL 61107
Direct 815-489-3401
Cell 815-315-2626
Rockford Real Estate
Rockford and Boone County Home Values

I love what I do so please don't misunderstand but the adage is true "timing is everything". It's a tough market right now.

The flip side is you may find experienced agents willing to help you learn the ropes now more than when they are very busy.

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Eric Lewis
Redding California

Redding California Real Estate at Redding-Real-Estate.com .
Redding Real Estate. -- For fun: Redding Golf at Golf Redding.com.

Jeff is right. It's a tough business right now and you never know when your next check is coming from. Those who've been in the business for a while, they have repeated business to rely upon, but for new agents, it's extremely difficult. A lot of hard work and nobody will guarantee you a pay check tomorrow.

Good luck.

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Russell Volk, REALTOR®
Mid-Atlantic Real Estate
Feasterville, PA
Bucks County Real Estate | Newtown, PA Real Estate | Doylestown, PA Real Estate.

If you would like to get a license, I would say go for it. Though I would have to agree with everyone here about the current market and to not quit your day job. In the future, it will be better and maybe by then you will have your license and will be ready to jump in the industry.

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For Sale By Owner
Real Estate Gurus

Well I was kind of thinking maybe when it picked up I would already have all my training, etc. I am a little worried about all these fees I am reading about. Is there really fees like $350 month to the broker? What if you aren't selling anything? Just doesn't make sense to me. I am taking everyone's response ino consideration. thank you.

Different brokers charge different fees.

You have to find one that 'fits'.

The costs per year vary greatly.

A few things I would suggest you think about:

• As mentioned, don't expect a check for awhile. I would say have enough funds stashed away to live on for at least 1 year or longer.
• There are fees and education expenses required every year, don't forget to add those to your living budget.
• Don't forget to add a marketing budget to your living budget.
• If your spouse isn't working, ask her/him to go to work if possible. That will make the lack of income easier to deal with until your business gets off the ground.
• Write a business plan or goal outline to decide how much funding you need to personally set aside to begin the new business.

Remember: You are working for your self unless you're on Salary. You will make as much as you are willing to put in (time and effort and marketing etc). It's up and down all the time.

It's an interesting business for certain, but scary as heck when you first start out.

Hope that helps somewhat.

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Jessie: Panama City Beach Real Estate, Panama City Real Estate and Panama City Beach Condos