Agent, investor or both?

[sthurlow]

I'm interested in becoming an investor.  Do you think it would be wise to get my real estate license and "get my feet wet" with selling to others first.  Or should I just read some books and jump right into personal investing (ie. flipping properties and rentals...).  Any advice would be helpful.  Thanks,
Stephanie
sthurlow@austin.rr.com
Austin, TX

[tedjr]

I let my Broker's license expire after 20 years. I was buying houses and hearing all kinds of stories of buyer getting who were Brokers because they did not pay enough for the house or sold it to high to their buyers and or contract for deed buyer etc. At the last continueing education class I went to I was so afraid to do another deal that  I did not buy a house until me license had expired.  If you can find deals you should have aneasy time flipping them for a profit. There are a lot mor investors in this down market than i have ever seen. I used to be the only dude on the East side buying and investing and repairing it seemed and now every street has something going on. There are also a lot of deals out there, some 400 plus foreclosure postings last month.
Good luck and hope to do some deals together

Thank you,

Ted P. Stokely Jr
11505 Sw Oaks
Austin, Texas  78737

512-301-9171 home
512-587-6177 mobile

[StacyKellams]

sthurlow,

I see no reason for you to become an agent at this point. The only license you need to be an investor is your drivers license.

You won't learn how to make money in those realtor classes.

My advice, read as much as you can about wholesaling properties and then wholesale a property to a rehabber and stick some quick cash in your pocket.

You can start by reading the free articles on this website.

[Admin]

Stephanie,
I've not met an agent who was primarily a successful investor that was not glad to have their real estate license as well.

The liability issues are blown way out of proportion in my mind.  Any investor who's not running their business to AT LEAST the integrity level of licensed agents is crazy anyway in my book.

However, like Stacy suggested, I would definitely study the investing portion first as it's a completely different mindset from simply being licensed.  You can always get licensed later if you want.