Getting Your Realtor's License? Are You Crazy?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Professionals MN Broker #40288835

    A few of you already know that I am in school once again and this time charlie in St Paul, MNam taking Real Estate classes. I already knew a fair amount about real estate and am learning even more - amortization schedules, Minnesota laws,  & government programs. My goal is to stage and sell my own listings and continue to stage for others, on a smaller scale. I want to work a little closer to home and will now be restricted mostly to Minnesota. I will still stage in Florida, but my daughter there will be taking over for the most part.

    I think that being a Realtor will enhance my income and my staging experience will enhance my career as a Realtor. With both my daughters now young adults and starting their own businesses, I needed to hire or change how I do things. So I did.  Will I love it? That remains to be seen.  I have been self-employed for a very long time and am not used to working under someone anymore. I will be looking for a special company and an understanding broker - who will let me do things a little differently. Staging is not the norm yet in the Brainerd Lakes area of MN, so this will be a even better way to promote staging as a standard for selling.

Posted by

Welcome from the Brainerd Lakes - where outdoor and indoor recreational opportunites abound. Looking to buy on one of our many lakes? Ready to move up or down?  Having trouble selling your home? 

Call me!

Comments (41)

No Longer Active in Staging. No Longer Staging
Hickory, NC

Kathleen, Congrats on getting your license! I know that you will definitely have that "extra" something with staging. I have had my license for many years, never sold real estate, just keep up my cont ed. I need to get them hanging somewhere just in case I can do a referral, etc. God bless, look forward to hearing all about your new combined career.

Nov 11, 2008 03:49 AM
Christina Vagnini
Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company - Summerville, SC
Senior Loan Officer, SC

Kathleen, this is great! You can never go wrong with educatiing yourself, the more you know the more you can help others :)

Nov 13, 2008 01:37 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Cheryl, I have been doing lots of referrals and as you know can not get paid as a Home Stager. I am almost finished with classes and then need to find a  RE company.

Nov 14, 2008 01:33 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Christina- WEll, I certainly have learned more about the mortgage programs than I knew before.

Nov 14, 2008 01:37 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

People have asked me for as long as I can remember, If I sell Real Estate.  I always had such an interest in every aspect about it. I've toyed with the idea, but not sure what getting a license entails. 

Nov 14, 2008 06:10 PM
Tania Beaudet
Tania b. Studio Staging and Design - San Francisco, CA

I say go for it and congrats!  Its important to always grow and learn and to continue challenging ourselves.

Nov 14, 2008 08:30 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Cindy - 90 hours of classes divided into three courses.  Then a State and National exam. A broker has to hold your license  (ie you have to be affiliated with that company),  I know some stagers just have someone hold their license and then get referrral fees but that wouldn't fly here. They want people actively selling.  There are company and office expenses monthly, etc - every one is different and very different in some aspects.

I have not decided on a company yet - I have 2 interviews left - have eliminated 2 for sure - have 2 in the running.

Nov 22, 2008 06:33 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Tania - I have a gorgeous black Arabian mare named Taaneia.

Nov 22, 2008 06:36 AM
Magi Roth
Simply3 - Vaughan, ON
SIMPLY3

Wow! How exciting! I'm rooting for you! You will have the best of both worlds.  I wish you all the success. It makes so much sense!

Nov 22, 2008 02:01 PM
Wendy Hayden
Photographer, Home Stager, ePRO - Richmond, VA
Chesterfield, Richmond & Powahatan

I am a home stager working on getting my license too. It is strange to be starting a new career in RE when so many are leaving the field but I think that it is a great time to get established if you are really serious and motivated.  Plus, as a stager I have something to offer that other realtors don't to get houses sold. Good luck to you! 

Nov 23, 2008 04:11 AM
Debbie Wheeler
Real Estate Staging/Rooms Rearranged, LLC - Chandler, AZ
Chandler, AZ Rooms Rearranged RESA, IRIS

Good for you!  I have thought about it - being stagers I think we have something extra to bring to the table.  Owning your own furniture for vacants is an extra plus.  Lots of work I'm sure - study hard.

Nov 23, 2008 01:46 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Magi - Thanks, some days I really need a cheerleader. It makes sense now - we will see how it all works out.

Nov 23, 2008 02:27 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Wendy - So I am not alone in this venture. good luck to you - we will have to stay in touch and see how  we are doing.

Nov 23, 2008 02:28 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Debbie - I am studying and really working at this.  I do not just want to pass the tests, I want to retain the information and know it.

Nov 23, 2008 02:30 PM
Monica Vera
LMB Design Home Staging & Redesigns - San Antonio, TX
Home Staging Professional for San Antonio, TX & Helotes, TX

Hi Kathleen, I sent you an email on this subject and look forward to hearing your feedback! I too have been thinking & PRAYING about getting my RE license & don't know if it's the right thing for my staging business.  I feel that there is huge opportunity in the RE world especially with home staging & I want to learn it ALL! GOOD LUCK and I hope to stay in touch. 

Nov 24, 2008 04:37 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

 Monica - Got the e-mail and will reply soon.

The downside to this is that I am not sure if agents from other companies will continue to use my staging services or if I will now be the dreaded competition.

Also no neutral third party stager in the middle between seller and agent. Many agents in my area are terrified to tell their clients to change anything (that  is what they tell me in the RE continuing ed classes I teach them) so they don't even go there or maybe hand them a general list about cleaning and de-cluttering.

Nov 24, 2008 06:22 AM
Tracey Wood -ReFeathering: Staging and Design
ReFeathering LLC - Eagle River, AK

Kathleen,

We have decided (at least for now) not to become licensed agents, as we feel we want to remain independent of any particular brokerage. Clients can come to us, without fear of us angling for their listing.

Nothing wrong with becoming licensed, however, sounds like it will work for you. Good luck!

Nov 24, 2008 06:28 AM
Isabel Gomes
Gomes Design - London, ON
Interior Decorator, Stager - London, Ont

There is something about learning that is exciting and invigorating.  It always opens new doors for new adventures and experiences.  All the best with your studies and new career.

 

Nov 24, 2008 08:52 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Tracey - If you are achieving your purpose without a license and have a growing business then do not bother.

Things are trickling down to a drip here and I am willing to try something new to jump start things.  Besides I love advocating for the  concept of staging.

Nov 25, 2008 01:32 PM
Anonymous
stacey larocque

Time has passed since this thread began - how are you making out?  I've been staging for almost 3 years and ready to make the same leap - starting the license process next Monday ... this thread has solidified my decision!  Hubby is dreaming about the day he can call in (to his boss) "a kept man" :) ... I figure, he gave me 11 years at home with the kids, now I want to return the favour!  Cheers.

Oct 08, 2009 02:47 PM
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