I am going to turn 18 after i graduate high school this year. Once I turn 18 I want to get my real estate license and start my career. I also plan on going to community college in the meantime then transferring to a four year. The only problem is my parents don’t fully support it. My dad doesn’t really say anything about it but my mom literally told me real estate isn’t a real career and I can’t do it for the rest of my life. She’s also laughed and made other jokes about it. I don’t think it’s a bad plan i don’t see the problem with it. I’m going to have a backup plan because I know many agents fail and the market can always get bad. (I forgot to mention I’m going to major in business). All I really want is my parents support. I know I can do it but their negativity is making me doubt myself.
I guess I just want other people’s opinions on my situation/plan. Is it a bad idea? (I’ve done my research on real estate and I know it’s a lot of work but i’m willing to do it because that’s the only thing I am interested in and can see myself doing for the rest of my life) So I do know it might be a bit too ambitious but do you think it’s possible to be a full time student and a part time real estate agent? Any advice?
As long as your plan included a 4 year degree, I see nothing wrong with it long term.
But I would concentrate on the degree first. I’m not sure that “part time real estate agent” is something you can do successfully.
you’re right, people usually don’t succeed from being a part time real estate agent but I want to do it because I’m going to have to be working during college so I think I might as well start my career rather than have some part time minimum wage job.
My neighbor is a very successful real estate agent and its helped him put three kids through college. I also have an uncle who went into real estate and an aunt who did it later in life. My neighbor is by far the more successful of the three I know but he is an agent in the same community in which he grew up, went to high school and currently lives so he has a very large network of potential clients and other connections and we live in a town that continually is ranked as one of the best places to live so the demand is pretty solid even in a down market.
Real estate in my opinion is very much about networking and building relationships because you need the referrals to drive the business and building that base takes time and effort. I actually don’t see anything wrong with trying your plan . I don’t subscribe to the notion that everyone needs to go to college. I also feel like it is easier to take risks when you are younger and don’t have the same financial commitments. I would however put milestone goals in your plan so you know if you are succeeding and are on track. What is your 1 year, 3 year and 5 year goals? If you don’t hit those do you then go to your plan B? I guess the real question would be can you get hired on as an agent in your area? Is there an agency that would be willing to take you on and sponsor your license?
I think a downside is that few adults will take an 18-year old agent seriously. That’s a real pitfall.
Are you currently class president or something of the kind? Are very popular with many overlapping and non overlapping networks? Do you have an agency willing to take you on?
Rather than majoring in business why not major in Real Estate?
I agree that taking a risk at a younger age is better and safer. I want to get a degree in business and if real estate doesn’t work out then i’ll rely on my degree. I’ve came across Keller Williams, an employment website, that takes in people who are new to real estate and they offer to help them get their license and train them. I plan on going to them and i’m hoping they can help me start my career.
Not being taken serious because of my age is something I’m a bit scared scared of but I know it will happen and I’ll just have to work with them and try to show them that my age doesn’t matter as long as I get the job done. I am not class president but I am taking business classes and in one of them we actually compete in competitions and trade shows (i’m part of the marketing team) and like I said I want to try with Keller Williams.
Where I live many of the top Realtors have a team, employing younger agents to handle open houses, photograph listings and assist with marketing, etc. Perhaps an arrangement like that could work for you while you’re in the process of obtaining your degree and getting experience in the field.
Just be ready for their asking you to come back once you’ve had your degree or are 21. They don’t necessarily want college graduates but typically they want adults, not teenagers. I’m not saying this to disparage you - I think your interest for the profession is great. But most people 30+ won’t spend that much money if they can’t trust the person is experienced. Even a 21-year old looks “young” to them and has to work hard to sound legitimate. So, KW may or may not take the risk to sponsor you for your license. You MUST have a plan B in case plan A doesn’t work.
Have you turned 18 already or when do you turn 18?
Have you applied to a college?
If not, it might not be too late. Assuming you live in TX, here are possibilities:
- https://www.unt.edu/pais/insert/ureal.htm
- UT has a certificate which you can combine with ANY major (even the easiest-to-get-into major, but Urban Studies or Sustainability Studies would both be especially suitable).
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/Centers/Real-Estate-Center/Academics/Real-Estate-Certificate -
https://www.bauer.uh.edu/real-estate/
See which of these is near you and find which CC’s work with these universities, so that you can attend CC and transfer as seamlessly as possible.
Nothing wrong with working at Keller Williams or whatever real estate firms are out there while you are attending a 2 or 4 year college. Agree that you would likely be assigned to help get ready for the open houses, deliver the For Sale signs, etc.
Parents think you are aiming too low and you may be. You don’t know your potential and set out to be an agent which does not even require a degree. You are getting a real estate degree to own the friggin city. Build your brand and sell yourself and look at commercial property not just residential. Real Estate is AWESOME! but not necessarily being an agent is. You need to investigate the whole gamut of what a real estate profession can bring. A college degree will hopefully develop a pedigree in you that people will need from you to help them make a big decision. Market yourself!
You can use it to build investment portfolio and retire early. Also work as a team member with older agents. If I had to do over again, I would go into construction development field.
Work as a real estate agent part time while studying for the real estate licensing exam. Once licensed, you will have to choose between being a full time agent while a part time student at CC, or becoming a full time student with part time sales &/or administrative duties.
Working as a real estate agent is often a boom or bust occupation. The knowledge gained during the licensing & sales training process can be valuable.
I think you should pursue the career you want to pursue. It is a real profession.
But you should always mitigate risks. Want to be a doctor? You should have a general bachelors and lots of experience with people before you apply to med school. Want to be an artist? Get certified in a low-effort day job so that you have a way to support your early career. Want to be a financial trader? Make sure you have skills to get out if the stress gets to you. Want to go into real estate? Find a way to get on-the-ground experience and get through the recessions.
One thing you might consider is real estate appraisal. This is a real estate related job that does well even in recessions because the banks still have to value their assets even when repossessing.
Regarding your age, think about it this way. A home or business purchase could be the largest single financial decision a person makes. I know it was for us. I wouldn’t entrust that to a teenager or even a young adult. It’s not that they don’t have the attention to detail, passion, or theoretical knowledge. It’s that there are so many factors in buying a house and you need life experience to know which ones to prioritize when. When I was younger I was ambitious and hard working but I simply did not have the perspective to make certain kinds of decisions.
That’s another reason to look at real estate appraisal. You will get a ton of relevant experience as an assessor and will be able to work in your desired field as you get a few wrinkles on your face.
Good luck to you!
I didn’t read the whole thread but a friend of our is 45. She started her real estate career out of necessity after a divorce. That was like 4 years ago. She is one of the top sales people and is making in excess of $200,000 /year.
But you don’t wake up one day and do that. Many years of working your way up and learning the business. If your my child would want you to experience college but maybe take business and real estate courses etc. Commercial real estate can be extremely lucrative. But saying this do what you love and your passonite about.
Also talk to some major real estate companies now that are in your area and set up a meeting and have an honest talk with them and come up with a plan. Talk to a few of them. Present your plan to your parents. Majoring in business or the like is a plus but there might be something even more inligned with your goals. Also are there any real estate people you can shadow? Many like helping people starting in the business. You can get a different picture of the business this way…
Saying what I said, find someone to work with part time while in school. It’s a great way to “learn” the business. You might know social media much better then someone “older”. You do bring something worthwhile to the game. Plus if your passionate about it that will show. Everyone wants to “help” someone that has passion about something they love to do.
Just remember, failure is part of learning. Many will tell you, you need to fail to learn how to succeed. Determination and perseverance is what you need for this field.
I would have to say that I totally disagree with the people here who commented that people wouldn’t trust a “young realtor”. I’m 21 and I attend Michigan State University (business major) and am a licensed realtor as well. I have never had anyone ask me how old I was or say I was too young. If you are determined and put in the work you can be successful. I work for Coldwell Banker and we have what’s called 30 under 30. The majority of these people are 25 and under and have made over 6 figures. There are also younger agents in my area who are selling more houses a year than seasoned agents, so it has nothing to do with age. Times are changing and it’s about marketing/advertising. My parents are also realtors, so I have been privy to the business my entire life. I would have more experience than a 50 year old who just got their license. So don’t be discouraged, just figure out what you love and what you want to do. Best of luck to you!
Age 18 is young to be deciding on any career. But then making steps towards it is certainly a great thing to do. A lot of things change as you go through adulthood
Yes, real estate can be a lucrative business. Yes, it can be done part time. It can branch into a lot of different areas. It is unusual for someone not from a family business of this sort to want to seriously pursue this at age 18. It can be a challenge getting a job with a company at your age, but of course you can try. No reason not to look into this and give it a whirl.