Thread: Any Advise For A Firefighter Thinking About Becoming A Realtor?

Sir,

In a nutshell, being a Realtor is a difficult job. It's the only job I know where I have to pay to go to work. You must understand that the income derived from this industry dictates months on end with nothing in your pockets to show for all of the hours you're going to put in at the office learning and driving, taking unqualified people around the entire county. Fuggetabouit, I could go on for hours, but I won't.

It's not relevant you have an income from another source. Income derived from this industry is very slow to the draw. Your schedule at the office will change many times over the course of a few weeks. You'll be expected to learn lots of things in a very short period of time. It's not even relevant you've got in IQ of whatever; the learning pace is the same for all who enter this industry. There's lots to learn and working a sporadic schedule such as yours, may be more difficult to do than you're anticipating. For example, is your shift at the firehouse going to remain the way it is? Hours and days you'll be expected to fight fires that is?

Next, yes, the current economy is what it is and it's slooooooowwwwly improving. Yes, you'll be in an industry with the potential to make a lot of money in a short period of time with less aggravation than other industries (like the independent trucking industry). In my personal experience, Veteran or newbie and everyone in between: the jobs (buyers, sellers, lookers, renters, crybabies, floor time), only come in so quickly. I don't care what anyone else says or thinks: I'm not wrong on this point. Hoping for jobs to come only placates your conscience temporarily. Many people on this forum with tons of experience have said it and I've said it and I'll say it again: Unless you have a decent income or financial backing, because you're going to need it due to the economy: Money runs out in an eye blink and wishing and hoping won't get you anything. Many Realtors don't make it past three years do to this one fact alone.

Here's what you do: Go to kaplanfinancial.com. Obtain the Pre-licensing materials for your state. It's all online. You'll set up a password to get onto their site to learn the materials and take the required, mandated State Pre-licensing exams.

Study the materials. All of my notes from last year equate to about twenty chapters of one e-book from the site, with the average page number being 44. Then you'll take the Pre-licensing test when you think you know the information. THEN if you pass, continue on. You'll have to take two tests before you sit for the State exams at a testing center. One being Real Estate Fundamentals. The other being Real Estate Practices. If you pass the Preeeeeeee-licensing exams online thru kaplan, you'll only have to spend about about $100 per course to see if being a Realtor is right for you. If you don't pass one of the Preeeee licensing tests, you're only out the $100 and have concluded this industry isn't what you thought. That's the purpose of the Pre-licensing tests by the way. It's for the State to see if you're serious or not.

It's nice you wish to supplement your income but many people, including myself thought I'd be at least out of the black after a year: we were wrong. It seems every time I turn around, MLS fees are do. Electronic key fees are do. Or I need oil or gas for the car. It's just very demanding. The forces are against the good-hearted with very little to spend on themselves. If money isn't a problem (and it doesn't sound like it is, or is going to be), then take those mandated Preeeeeeee-licensing tests online thru kaplan like I said and pass one test to see if being a Realtor is right for you.

Dusk is upon us. Thirty miles from home. Gasoline down to a quarter tank, we must press on. Make it home. Sunset lights our way. Be home shortly, everyone's asleep. Learning, one more day. Two pence non the richer.

Good luck and thank you for your service.

CM

Well, it shocking and needed and immediate attention to

Just curious...

Have you thought about becoming an investor instead??

In my experience, most people want to invest but don't for one of three reasons...
1. they don't know how
2. they don't have money
3. they have little or poor credit

All 3 of those are sore excuses, You can get into the biz with no money or credit and their are several places to learn the strategies that'll get you started. I got my start at 20 years old, while in college and with no job!

What appealed to me is the long term benefit. There are essentially 4 types of people:
1. Employees: who trade their time for money
2. Self employed: they trade their time for money, but get to dictate how much its worth
3. Business owners: maximize their money vs time ratio
and lastly...
4. Investors: they trade their money for time

Because we all have a limited time here on earth, I think mine is priceless and chose to get the most out of it. Seriously tho, consider it, it's just as much work as a Realtor but with benefit of creating residual income and retiring early...

I guess it might not be that difficult, if you can have collection of good properties in your portfolio with some good contacts can help you get started with bang!!
But be cautious, try to get help from experienced Realtor.
I hope this would help you get started....

You should first consider what type of real estate you are going to focus on. Is it residential, commercial? You need to first specialize in one area because customers will require you to assist their needs with a particular purchase. Once you do this, then you need to cultivate a client list or contacts that could be your potential clients and then you take the licensing exam.

Originally Posted by NFDChris

Hello everyone. So I just moved to Western Massachusetts about 6 months ago for a job with a fire department. Now that I'm settled I've been thinking about what to do for a second job since working 24 hr shifts at the FD means I only work 2 days a week. Realtor is something I've always had in the back of my mind and I think now might be the time to pursue it but I'm not sure if this is a good decision with the economy being what it is. Any advice from some folks that are in the business and if you think I should go this route any tips on how to get off to a good start? Thanks all

-Christopher

RE is not a 9 - 5, Mon. - Fri., respond when you want to type of job. RE is a service job requiring you to provide near immediate responses, service, etc. Since you are locked into the FD job and can not provide services when requested by consumers then NO you should not consider this field. If you even think that you can provide responsive service to consumers then ask yourself how you would feel if your Agent did not respond to you for 24 - 36 hours and they lost that home to another bidder who got there faster?

If you are looking for a second income go find a company needing a flexible employee that can be called in when needed. Or you can try panhandling in a larger city near you!

I applaud your desire to consider selling real estate as a second job. I think your firefighting background and fire prevention knowledge could add some nice value to your clients whether you'll be selling residential or commercial real estate. Find a reputable real estate school (i.e. Kaplan) and get started!