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Becoming Active as a Real Estate Agent in California in today's Market?

I currently have a full-time job (8 - 5 type of thing). I've always wanted to be a Real Estate Agent, I gotten my license when I was 18 years old, but because of circumstances wasn't able to practice and exercise my license. I'm 24 years old now and I want to actively pursue this field and hopefully be successful (doesn't everybody), but I'm getting a lot of mixed feedback from different people. "They market is bad - don't do it." "A lot of people are sellings, it's a great opportunity." I know most agents when they do their first deal, it's usually someone they know, a friend or a friend's friend or a family friend. If I were to start, I'd will be cold calling and probably door knocking. Any suggestions for a basically a brand new agent looking to start from complete scratch? Thank so much in advance!

Public Comments

1. I say go for it. I mean think about it, if you sell one $500,000 dollar house you will be about $8,000 that is if you are on a low split which you most likely will be. If you work with a company like a Century 21 then you will have the name to go along with the fact that they give you leads. So you may not have to go door knocking unless you really want to. Yes there are a lot of buyers right now, and the prices are really low. It is a good time for them to buy! A really good idea is to sit other agents open house. So at an office meeting say something like " I am open to do an open house for anyones listings, the other agents will be happy that you will do that for them and hopefully you will get a lot of buyers that way. Even if they dont buy THAT house, you can ask them for their email address and/or phone and help them find another house. Good luck!
2. For the first time in 20 years, the broker will have time to correctly train you. That has not been true for a long time. Usually you were left to fend for yourself and most people failed. If you learn now, you will be in a position to succeed when the good times return. 8 out of every 10 new agents do not make it one year in the business. Not because they aren't talented. It is because most cities have 60,000 active agents and only 3,000 sales every month. You can see the problem.