Leaving Real Estate...and need some advice!

In Idaho you can let set up your license as inactive then you pay no fees and don't need to attend class.  To renew you need to get your CE credits up to date and renew.... This prevents your license from disappearing completely.  I sometimes also dream of working 9-5... Best of luck...  The problem with an inactive license is that you can't collect the referral fees.

You do still have that bank of business that can/may produce for you.  Maybe keep the license active for one year and then, if nothing much comes of it, go to your second option.     You never know which client(s) come up and you might still like the flexibility to be nimble.   Best of luck to you.

i know a lot of people who took other jobs during the past few years, but they kept their real estate licenses active.  The market has to turn around at some point, and only you can say if you would regret leaving the business when it does.  Best of luck.  

I came from an insurance background and I will say check out the insurance industry. YOu can make your own hours and also the money isn't bad at all. You already have clients from real estate and see if you can sit with those clients and let them know what you do know. This is a great start for you. 

Sue,

Here is the pastoral counselor in me coming out. You need some time to “breathe” and heal.

Option # 2 seems like the best option for this next year. Whatever you do don’t let your license expire right away. Not to spook you but jobs can evaporate and you might need to get back into full time real estate if there weren’t a job.

If you keep your license but aren’t a member of your local board you can team with someone who is a board member. You may do more referral work than you realize and it would be a nice side income.

Wishing you the very, very best professionally and personally.

#2...

That's what most people I know who have left the business do.

I remember when you got your license! You started on AR before you were licensed as I recall.

Sue - I did Option 2 three times in my career and made quite a money doing it - probably more than you're making in your 9-5! How about considering referral-generating (notice I didn't say referral-begging!) your part-time job and commit to devoting a few hours a week to it? DO stay in touch with your SOI, but a little differently (I can help you with that) - you actually might find it more enjoyable since there's no self-imposed pressure to be doing it on a regular basis...

I've been out of the business almost three years now and I still get referrals that are NOT a result of my SWS efforts, but rather the little bits and pieces I put (and left) in place while I was actively selling and right after I left.

Hmmmm... my brain is spinning right now with the possibilities...

Sue I have never realy seen anyone do that (try to keep up the marketing) but I think partnering with someone might be a good idea.  If they could use your past clients and the clients relationship with you .... and keep up the momentum I would think it could be win, win, win.  

I know there have to be licensing laws about advertising when you are in this position but I would think with social media it would be easier today to stay in touch with past clients and help them find an agent who is actively selling when they need one.  

Best of LUCK!!!  

Hey Sue, not sure what your 9-5 job is, I am thinking that as the market recovers there will be some highly talented Realtors that will be looking for people with real estate background that does not want to sell to help them set up a team. Have you considered working in the industry just not in sales? Then you are not too far from RE in case you want to try again when it is not the worst RE market in decades. I do not consider myself in sales, I am in the people and information business.