| Real estate agents are independent licensed | | | | would have to take in to consideration how |
| professionals. Many people call this a job | | | | many agents may be potentially leaving this |
| but it really is an entrepreneurial, | | | | industry, the amounts of properties for sale |
| independent position, IE: Business. It is | | | | & the current market (buyers or sellers). |
| better classified as a business because it | | | | |
| carries the following characteristics: | | | | In 2006 in the US there were approximately |
| | | | 432,000 positions. You would also have to |
| 1. It has multiple start up costs. | | | | take in consideration to what area you are |
| | | | planning to business in. Generally if you are |
| 2. Licensed by State or Province. | | | | in a big city there will be more positions |
| | | | available but also a lot of competition as |
| 3. Many agents operate under business names. | | | | well. |
| | | | |
| 4. Expenses such as: Shuttling potential | | | | What does it take to succeed in real estate? |
| clients around, dinners & lunches with | | | | |
| potential clients, advertising costs & office | | | | The real estate agents who do extremely well |
| expenses etc. | | | | are usually in the top 5 percent. You can |
| | | | drive down any street in your neighbourhood & |
| 5. Most agents right off most expenses as a | | | | plainly see the main names of these top |
| business for tax reasons. | | | | earners almost everywhere. Most of these |
| | | | people have one thing in common. They are |
| Jobs on the other hand are generally free to | | | | achievers & very good in sales. More than |
| find & get started. You do not have the | | | | that, they are very good communicators, quick |
| opportunity to right off expenses because you | | | | thinkers, organizers, & excellent in customer |
| will be classified as an employee. | | | | service. It takes a special breed to become a |
| | | | top realtor. It all starts with a burning |
| How much can you make as a real estate agent? | | | | desire or passion for this business. Many |
| | | | have gotten in to this industry & out just as |
| First of all real estate agents get paid by | | | | fast mainly because of the transition from |
| commission. They usually get paid anywhere | | | | employee to entrepreneur. It takes a lot of |
| from 5 to 10 percent of the selling price of | | | | courage for anyone to make this transition |
| the home. This can be good for you if you are | | | | because of the whole principal behind this. |
| a good salesman. The more homes you sell, the | | | | Most people want job security & have a hard |
| more income you can make. | | | | time digesting the fact that their |
| | | | commissions are not guaranteed. The flip side |
| Here are the 2006 US Estimates from the | | | | on this issue is that the top real estate |
| lowest to the highest: | | | | earner has surpassed this level of thinking & |
| | | | reaps the rewards of being an entrepreneur. |
| - The lowest 10 percent earned less than | | | | |
| approximately $20,170. | | | | If you are considering real estate as a |
| | | | career & are prepared to do what it takes to |
| - The average agent (25 - 50 %) earned | | | | succeed then this can be a very rewarding |
| approximately between $26,790 - $39,760 | | | | career move. If you are the type of person |
| | | | who wants to stay safe with a steady pay |
| - The top 5 percent earned approximately | | | | check this may not be for you. Please keep in |
| $111,500 + | | | | mind that anyone who makes $100,000 + per |
| | | | year most likely has made a commitment to |
| How much does it cost to become a real estate | | | | their business & themselves. |
| agent? | | | | |
| | | | The top realtor's have gone the extra mile in |
| It may cost you anywhere from $2,000 to | | | | this career & are highly compensated for |
| $5,000 to go through the full licensing | | | | their efforts. |
| procedure depending on what state or province | | | | |
| you are located. This is only the bare | | | | Other options instead of real estate: |
| requirements of obtaining a real estate | | | | |
| license. Find a licensed school near you for | | | | 1. Life insurance agents. |
| more detailed information on obtaining your | | | | |
| license. | | | | 2. Mortgage specialists. |
| | | | |
| How many positions are there? | | | | 3. Car Sales. |
| | | | |
| Based on the constant up & down real estate | | | | 4. Travel Agents. |
| market, it would be very hard to say exactly | | | | |
| how many positions there are currently. You | | | | 5. |