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Is Real Estate An Expensive Hobby, Field?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Dynasty

   I remembered a few months ago reading some blog post about how getting into and being in real estate is expensive. When I first got into real estate I spend over $8000 in the first 8 weeks for marketing materials, association dues, training classes, traveling to seminars, meals, and a ton of Starbucks coffee. These days I spend less because there are less trainings that I need and I figure what I should spend my money on.

  Looking at my own scenario when I started, I probably spend more than I should because I wanted to gain a lot of knowledge and get my name out. Otherwise I would say I could have spend $360 for my broker exam and license, $900 for the association dues, take a few free classes and paid for a couple but no more than $1000 total, about $800 for my business cards, websites, and other marketing materials, and about $600 for meals and coffee. Real Estate is much cheaper if I just get my license and hang it with an office while I work at a different job.

Is Real Estate An Expensive Hobby, Field?


  The reason why I want to know is other occupations cost more and the results varies. College expense has been increasing every year with state colleges and Universities costing about $12,000+ year. After graduation they would need to find a job with a starting salary in the 30s or 40s thousands and fixed annual raises. My little sister is going to USC to be a pharmacist and after 3 years she would owe about $230K making less than $90,000 on her first year.

  So where I am getting at is that it does cost some money to get into real estate but the amount of money that we make is unlimited by the amount of work we put into it and I am very thankful for that.

 

Ilona Matteson
Beach Realty & Construction on the Outer Banks of NC - Duck, NC
Ilona Matteson

Don't forget to carve out for the investment in a coach!  It's a real benefit to have when you're starting something new.

Aug 19, 2010 03:52 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Well said! I've often wondered about the complainers myself. Have they ever tried setting up their own business where you need a store, stock, employees, air conditioning, phone systems? Now, that's expensive.

Toni

Aug 19, 2010 03:54 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

spend more than I should because I wanted to gain a lot of knowledge

I do think that there's no other allocation of financial resources could go better than to your Education fund when you are new. I do not believe that real estate school teaches you anything yet. So I think your methodology and reasoning is right.

The problem with real estate is the barrier entry. Anyone can do it. In order to have a quality industry, we must first start with quality education and the qualifications of its entrance thereof.

Good post!

Aug 19, 2010 04:11 AM