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Pros and Cons About a Career in Real Estate

By
Real Estate Agent with Hawaii Military Realty, Inc.

Pros and Cons About A Career in Real Estate:  Any Input Will Be Appreciated

A friend of mine and a fellow Soldier from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii emailed me today.  His wife is thinking about a career in real estate but she knows nothing about it.  I sent her an email this morning explaining what I thought were some pros and cons about going into this business but what I would really like to do is grab some input from as many members as possible and then send her a link to the blog.  That way, she should see unbiased opinions about the profession.

Your comments can be very brief and one liners will be just fine

 

Thanks ahead of time if you have anything to add. 

 

Aloha!

David Kucic, Hawaii Real Estate Agent

www.hawaiipcs.com

Comments (13)

Highland Beach Condos David Serle
RE/MAX Services - Highland Beach, FL
Boca Raton Agent David Serle

Its kind of like what I would tell my best friend when asked whether to get married.

DON'T DO IT!!!

May 30, 2007 02:02 PM
Teresa Cox King
RE/MAX of Orange Beach - Orange Beach, AL
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama

Pro- Your schedule is mostly up to you.

Con- The costs for your business are usually more than expected.

May 30, 2007 02:03 PM
Mary Buchner
Realty USA - Amherst/Clarence - Buffalo, NY
Amherst NY Real Estate, Relocation and Buffalo Homes for sale

I think that she needs to know that the money does not start rolling in right away. 

That it takes a lot of hard work and money to get started.

That you need to be able to take rejection.

That the hours are erratic and that they could include evenings, nights and weekends.

On the plus side, you can set your own schedule (most of the time)

You are not chained to your desk.

You learn new stuff everyday!

You meet lots of interesting people (interesting could be good or bad!)

You can make good money

May 30, 2007 02:11 PM
1SG (Ret.) David Kucic
Hawaii Military Realty, Inc. - Ewa Beach, HI
President and Owner

David-Really?

Teresa-That is a big shock to most new agents.  They have no idea what their initial investment is.  So many think all they have to do is pay for the course, take the test and order some business cards....NOT!

Mary-You went above and beyond the call of duty!  Thanks for the great comments.  I think she will really appreciate all of this.

May 30, 2007 02:35 PM
Vicky Carlton
Cincinnati, OH
Comey & Shepherd, Auctioneer - Greater Cincinnati

It takes a long time to get established, people will steal your time because your not really working, right.

You are not just a real estate agent, you are a business owner, with all that goes with a web master, business, marketing, expense management, prospecting, taxes, insurance, ..... the list goes on! and on!

Vicky

May 30, 2007 02:38 PM
Sheri Sanders
Berkshire Hathaway C Dan Joyner Realtors - Easley, SC
Realtor/Broker - Easley, SC Real Estate
One of the most important traits for a real estate agent is being able to multi-task.
May 30, 2007 02:42 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

David, if she is thiking because "you make money" that's wrong, if she is thinking because she likes everything involved with Real Estate, Buying, Selling, help people, that's great.   I have seen some people that they want to get a license because they think that they will be rich. and they are not seeing that they need to love it to be more succesful, I have seen that some people quit and they start looking some other works.

that's my 2 cents :) good luck

May 30, 2007 04:01 PM
1SG (Ret.) David Kucic
Hawaii Military Realty, Inc. - Ewa Beach, HI
President and Owner

Vicky-Great points.  I especially think she will enjoy reading the comments you made about being the webmaster, marketing rep etc....a lot of newcomers just dont realize all thats involved.

Sheri-We are all great at multi tasking arent we?  Only a great multi tasker could have 6 escrows open at one time with no coordinator!

Ray-Isnt that the truth?  Why does everyone think it is such big easy money?  Definitely not the case when you subtract expenses.  On the other hand, if you are great at your job and you work hard, you will be rewarded.

May 30, 2007 07:07 PM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

Pros - You are your won boss

Con - Only a small percentage are very successful at it.

May 30, 2007 07:10 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor
David, I agree with you, so depends what is her situation, so best wishes and good luck :)
May 31, 2007 03:27 AM
1SG (Ret.) David Kucic
Hawaii Military Realty, Inc. - Ewa Beach, HI
President and Owner

Randy-As stated!

Ray-I am not sure what the motivation is.  She will be able to read this all for herself and maybe ask herself the question.

May 31, 2007 03:49 AM
Jim Little
Ken Meade Realty - Sun City, AZ
Your Sun City Arizona Realtor
Hi Top; I am in RE for many of the reasons others have stated, satisfaction, control over my time etc. I am always concerned that the new people who get into the business don't have a clue what is involved. The average newbie thinks a license and a few hours a year will do it. They don't realize it is a constantly evolving business requiring hours of additional info gathering, whether in CE courses, free seminars from title companies, or participation in forums like this one. If a person has no commitment for the business, they are better working in a normal occupation
May 31, 2007 04:38 AM
1SG (Ret.) David Kucic
Hawaii Military Realty, Inc. - Ewa Beach, HI
President and Owner
Aloha SP/5 Little,  I bet you havent heard that for a while!  More great points you brought out.  Again, am happy to point her to this post so she will be able to see the different thoughts about this profession.
May 31, 2007 05:11 AM