Getting RE License for Myself

[XBoxBoy]

I’d like to get the opinions of people on this site regarding getting a real estate license, not to become a realtor, but to help with my own transaction. Here’s what I’m thinking.

I plan to buy a house in La Jolla in the next year or two, when prices get close to the bottom. Obviously, a house in La Jolla is pretty expensive and the buyers commission alone would be about 50k for my price range. (Maybe even more)

When I first started looking, almost four years ago, I had a broker who showed me listings and I found myself increasingly uncomfortable having someone represent me, since little by little I realized they were looking out for themselves, more than looking out for me. (Guess I’m just naturally suspicious)

I figure that if I get a RE license I get two things. First a more complete knowledge regarding the logistics and laws regarding RE sales. (I’ve got a pretty good knowledge of this already, but I’m sure everything I’ve learned on these forums isn’t 100% accurate) And second, I figure if I have a license, when I approach a seller’s agent I’ll get a little bit more legitimacy than if I was just a buyer without an agent.

While I don’t want to become a broker, there is a bonus that I could always help friends and family with their transactions in the future if I had a license.

I’ve taught myself a lot of things in the past and would prefer to work at my own pace, so I’m thinking of taking an online course rather than a classroom setting. Does anyone have any experience or know someone who has taken online real estate classes? If so, what company and what was their experience. (You are required to have three certified classes before you can take the licensing exam)

Any and all opinions about this plan, about various schools, etc are appreciated.

XBoxBoy

[SD Realtor]

Getting a license is quite easy. I went and got my license pretty much for the same reasons that you listed above. However armed with only a license you will need to hang your license with a broker in order to operate. If you want to earn MLS access you will also need to be prepared to pay the fees.

If your broker is a personal friend then perhaps he/she will let you hang your license for free. Otherwise they may charge you. There is also E/O insurance.

Again, I have very much glossed over the basics of basics. Going through the process of getting a license is easy and I would encourage more people to do it. To be honest like most everything else in life you learn much more in the field then in the classroom. I feel like I have learned alot more in the transactions then out of them.

Also for the homes you see that you like you can send in an offer and inform the listing agent you are not represented. Thus you can negotiate the deal down from the coop commission if you like. Just a few ideas. If you approach a listing agent with a license but with no broker, and little to no transactions under your belt that will by no means make any difference to the listing agent. At least it would not to me.

[SD Realtor]

Getting a license is quite easy. I went and got my license pretty much for the same reasons that you listed above. However armed with only a license you will need to hang your license with a broker in order to operate. If you want to earn MLS access you will also need to be prepared to pay the fees.

If your broker is a personal friend then perhaps he/she will let you hang your license for free. Otherwise they may charge you. There is also E/O insurance.

Again, I have very much glossed over the basics of basics. Going through the process of getting a license is easy and I would encourage more people to do it. To be honest like most everything else in life you learn much more in the field then in the classroom. I feel like I have learned alot more in the transactions then out of them.

Also for the homes you see that you like you can send in an offer and inform the listing agent you are not represented. Thus you can negotiate the deal down from the coop commission if you like. Just a few ideas. If you approach a listing agent with a license but with no broker, and little to no transactions under your belt that will by no means make any difference to the listing agent. At least it would not to me.

[SD Realtor]

Getting a license is quite easy. I went and got my license pretty much for the same reasons that you listed above. However armed with only a license you will need to hang your license with a broker in order to operate. If you want to earn MLS access you will also need to be prepared to pay the fees.

If your broker is a personal friend then perhaps he/she will let you hang your license for free. Otherwise they may charge you. There is also E/O insurance.

Again, I have very much glossed over the basics of basics. Going through the process of getting a license is easy and I would encourage more people to do it. To be honest like most everything else in life you learn much more in the field then in the classroom. I feel like I have learned alot more in the transactions then out of them.

Also for the homes you see that you like you can send in an offer and inform the listing agent you are not represented. Thus you can negotiate the deal down from the coop commission if you like. Just a few ideas. If you approach a listing agent with a license but with no broker, and little to no transactions under your belt that will by no means make any difference to the listing agent. At least it would not to me.

[SD Realtor]

Getting a license is quite easy. I went and got my license pretty much for the same reasons that you listed above. However armed with only a license you will need to hang your license with a broker in order to operate. If you want to earn MLS access you will also need to be prepared to pay the fees.

If your broker is a personal friend then perhaps he/she will let you hang your license for free. Otherwise they may charge you. There is also E/O insurance.

Again, I have very much glossed over the basics of basics. Going through the process of getting a license is easy and I would encourage more people to do it. To be honest like most everything else in life you learn much more in the field then in the classroom. I feel like I have learned alot more in the transactions then out of them.

Also for the homes you see that you like you can send in an offer and inform the listing agent you are not represented. Thus you can negotiate the deal down from the coop commission if you like. Just a few ideas. If you approach a listing agent with a license but with no broker, and little to no transactions under your belt that will by no means make any difference to the listing agent. At least it would not to me.

[SD Realtor]

Getting a license is quite easy. I went and got my license pretty much for the same reasons that you listed above. However armed with only a license you will need to hang your license with a broker in order to operate. If you want to earn MLS access you will also need to be prepared to pay the fees.

If your broker is a personal friend then perhaps he/she will let you hang your license for free. Otherwise they may charge you. There is also E/O insurance.

Again, I have very much glossed over the basics of basics. Going through the process of getting a license is easy and I would encourage more people to do it. To be honest like most everything else in life you learn much more in the field then in the classroom. I feel like I have learned alot more in the transactions then out of them.

Also for the homes you see that you like you can send in an offer and inform the listing agent you are not represented. Thus you can negotiate the deal down from the coop commission if you like. Just a few ideas. If you approach a listing agent with a license but with no broker, and little to no transactions under your belt that will by no means make any difference to the listing agent. At least it would not to me.

[NotCranky]

Good idea,
I did the same thing for the same reason but unlike Adam I remained a “dabbler”. I mostly work with people who come from friendships and my construction relationships and shy away from working with people I don’t know.

Getting the license is a pretty superficial process if you want it to be.On the other hand some people get a good education in the community colleges or go through in house training with bigger name brand offices. A part timer probably shouldn’t bother with either of those.

With the stated goal of wanting to be part time,to very part time. it can be challenging to keep up with the business. I think it would be be hard to go it part-time without a really good backup who is practicing full time. Doing multiple transactions you will come across some challenges that the superficial route to a license just isn’t going to support. My broker has more than 30 years in the business. He never bothers me to get more active with traditional sales methods or be more aggressive, which is important in our being a good match.

I give him 20% of any agreed upon compensation from my clients and 10% of the commission offered on my own transactions. I have been told I could do better but I think I get more than my money’s worth from him.

BTW, I recently took the courses required for brokers with an online school called Allied. The format was very good IMO. They offer the program you would need to get your license.

Good luck

[NotCranky]

Good idea,
I did the same thing for the same reason but unlike Adam I remained a “dabbler”. I mostly work with people who come from friendships and my construction relationships and shy away from working with people I don’t know.

Getting the license is a pretty superficial process if you want it to be.On the other hand some people get a good education in the community colleges or go through in house training with bigger name brand offices. A part timer probably shouldn’t bother with either of those.

With the stated goal of wanting to be part time,to very part time. it can be challenging to keep up with the business. I think it would be be hard to go it part-time without a really good backup who is practicing full time. Doing multiple transactions you will come across some challenges that the superficial route to a license just isn’t going to support. My broker has more than 30 years in the business. He never bothers me to get more active with traditional sales methods or be more aggressive, which is important in our being a good match.

I give him 20% of any agreed upon compensation from my clients and 10% of the commission offered on my own transactions. I have been told I could do better but I think I get more than my money’s worth from him.

BTW, I recently took the courses required for brokers with an online school called Allied. The format was very good IMO. They offer the program you would need to get your license.

Good luck

[NotCranky]

Good idea,
I did the same thing for the same reason but unlike Adam I remained a “dabbler”. I mostly work with people who come from friendships and my construction relationships and shy away from working with people I don’t know.

Getting the license is a pretty superficial process if you want it to be.On the other hand some people get a good education in the community colleges or go through in house training with bigger name brand offices. A part timer probably shouldn’t bother with either of those.

With the stated goal of wanting to be part time,to very part time. it can be challenging to keep up with the business. I think it would be be hard to go it part-time without a really good backup who is practicing full time. Doing multiple transactions you will come across some challenges that the superficial route to a license just isn’t going to support. My broker has more than 30 years in the business. He never bothers me to get more active with traditional sales methods or be more aggressive, which is important in our being a good match.

I give him 20% of any agreed upon compensation from my clients and 10% of the commission offered on my own transactions. I have been told I could do better but I think I get more than my money’s worth from him.

BTW, I recently took the courses required for brokers with an online school called Allied. The format was very good IMO. They offer the program you would need to get your license.

Good luck

[NotCranky]

Good idea,
I did the same thing for the same reason but unlike Adam I remained a “dabbler”. I mostly work with people who come from friendships and my construction relationships and shy away from working with people I don’t know.

Getting the license is a pretty superficial process if you want it to be.On the other hand some people get a good education in the community colleges or go through in house training with bigger name brand offices. A part timer probably shouldn’t bother with either of those.

With the stated goal of wanting to be part time,to very part time. it can be challenging to keep up with the business. I think it would be be hard to go it part-time without a really good backup who is practicing full time. Doing multiple transactions you will come across some challenges that the superficial route to a license just isn’t going to support. My broker has more than 30 years in the business. He never bothers me to get more active with traditional sales methods or be more aggressive, which is important in our being a good match.

I give him 20% of any agreed upon compensation from my clients and 10% of the commission offered on my own transactions. I have been told I could do better but I think I get more than my money’s worth from him.

BTW, I recently took the courses required for brokers with an online school called Allied. The format was very good IMO. They offer the program you would need to get your license.

Good luck

[NotCranky]

Good idea,
I did the same thing for the same reason but unlike Adam I remained a “dabbler”. I mostly work with people who come from friendships and my construction relationships and shy away from working with people I don’t know.

Getting the license is a pretty superficial process if you want it to be.On the other hand some people get a good education in the community colleges or go through in house training with bigger name brand offices. A part timer probably shouldn’t bother with either of those.

With the stated goal of wanting to be part time,to very part time. it can be challenging to keep up with the business. I think it would be be hard to go it part-time without a really good backup who is practicing full time. Doing multiple transactions you will come across some challenges that the superficial route to a license just isn’t going to support. My broker has more than 30 years in the business. He never bothers me to get more active with traditional sales methods or be more aggressive, which is important in our being a good match.

I give him 20% of any agreed upon compensation from my clients and 10% of the commission offered on my own transactions. I have been told I could do better but I think I get more than my money’s worth from him.

BTW, I recently took the courses required for brokers with an online school called Allied. The format was very good IMO. They offer the program you would need to get your license.

Good luck

[Aecetia]

Rustico,

Does a school have to be accredited or do you just need a certificate and the ability/training to pass the test? Thanks.

[Aecetia]

Rustico,

Does a school have to be accredited or do you just need a certificate and the ability/training to pass the test? Thanks.

[Aecetia]

Rustico,

Does a school have to be accredited or do you just need a certificate and the ability/training to pass the test? Thanks.

[Aecetia]

Rustico,

Does a school have to be accredited or do you just need a certificate and the ability/training to pass the test? Thanks.

[Author]

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