Expert: Sue Bernstein - 12/1/2003

Question
Hi I am thinking about becoming a Real Estate Agent.  I was wondering if I could get some info from an expert on what I would be doing on a daily basis if I peruse this career.  How much money can I make and how hard is it to get licensed?  Thanks, any info that could help me decide if this would be the career for me would be greatly appreciated.  Steve Williams
P.S I live in California if that helps.


Answer
Dear Steve,

If you decide to get licensed and you want to be successful prepare to work harder than you have ever worked before.  There is no regular daily routine.  Somedays you have broker caravans (seeing all the new listings) usually an office meeting once a week, doing open houses on the weekend, creating a marketing strategy to attract clients, keeping your escrows together etc.
You create your own schedule. I have read that most agents make less than $40,000/year but I know some that make over $250,000 and some even higher than that (very few) If you are willing to really put in the time you can make as much as you want to but there is a learning curve.  
The state exam to get licensed is difficult but there are very reputable good real estate schools that know how to prepare you to pass the exam and most major real estate companies are affiliated with schools.
If you have the discipline and like being your own boss it can be a wonderful career.

Good luck and I hope you found this helpful.

Sue Bernstein
www.SueBernstein.com