7 answers
Airic
Student
Miami, Florida
5
Questions
Asked
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Is college a waste of time when trying to become a wholesale real-estate agent?
#real-estate #college #business #wholesale-real-estate
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7 answers
Betty Yip, PMP, CSM
Senior Director, Technical Program Manager
72
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Betty’s Answer
Hi Airic,
Being a realtor is very much like creating and running your own business. Realtors are more self starters, they have to come up with their own marketing plan to set themselves apart in a very competitive world and college would provide you with a good foundation on business, math, etc. Also college is a good place to network, establish more connections, and possibly, create lifelong friends. While it's not absolutely necessary to go to college, more discerning companies, buyers or sellers look to your educational background if you don't have the requisite years of experience. In general, it gives you more credibility to have a college degree under your belt and if you don't end up being an agent, at least you would have your degree to fall back on. The work of a realtor is not cut and dried since you have to understand local market trends, finances when working with loan agents and banks, establishing a good rapport with potential clients, etc. My view is that experience and educational background have the highest credibility, but 5+ years of experience is a good second followed by a degree. I would not work with a realtor who had 0 years of experience and no degree.
Being a realtor is very much like creating and running your own business. Realtors are more self starters, they have to come up with their own marketing plan to set themselves apart in a very competitive world and college would provide you with a good foundation on business, math, etc. Also college is a good place to network, establish more connections, and possibly, create lifelong friends. While it's not absolutely necessary to go to college, more discerning companies, buyers or sellers look to your educational background if you don't have the requisite years of experience. In general, it gives you more credibility to have a college degree under your belt and if you don't end up being an agent, at least you would have your degree to fall back on. The work of a realtor is not cut and dried since you have to understand local market trends, finances when working with loan agents and banks, establishing a good rapport with potential clients, etc. My view is that experience and educational background have the highest credibility, but 5+ years of experience is a good second followed by a degree. I would not work with a realtor who had 0 years of experience and no degree.
Matt Boil
Insurance Claims
4
Answers
Hartford, Connecticut
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hi Airic,
You certainly can achieve your goal of becoming a real estate agent without a college degree, but the lessons learned and experiences in college are invaluable. College gives you the opportunity to discover more about yourself- identify your strengths and weaknesses, areas of interest, and challenges you to work hard to achieve your goal. I am currently in a career totally different than what I earned my degree in, but the skills learned during my years in college (critical thinking, problem solving, analytical mindset) are strengths I developed that I apply every day to my work.
You may also consider attending a 2-year associates program then transfer those credits to a 4-year degree if you find that college is helping you prepare for your future.
You certainly can achieve your goal of becoming a real estate agent without a college degree, but the lessons learned and experiences in college are invaluable. College gives you the opportunity to discover more about yourself- identify your strengths and weaknesses, areas of interest, and challenges you to work hard to achieve your goal. I am currently in a career totally different than what I earned my degree in, but the skills learned during my years in college (critical thinking, problem solving, analytical mindset) are strengths I developed that I apply every day to my work.
You may also consider attending a 2-year associates program then transfer those credits to a 4-year degree if you find that college is helping you prepare for your future.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Airic ,
I would say that college is never a waste, but it is not required to go into real estate. My question to you would be - how do you think that college would benefit being a real estate agent knowing that it is not required? What do you think that college would give you? I know that some people who go into real estate want to go into business for themselves. Then it might be a good idea to take college classes around owning a business. You do not have to graduate from college to get good information from college classes. You just need to consider the cost versus the benefit of going to college.
Gloria
I would say that college is never a waste, but it is not required to go into real estate. My question to you would be - how do you think that college would benefit being a real estate agent knowing that it is not required? What do you think that college would give you? I know that some people who go into real estate want to go into business for themselves. Then it might be a good idea to take college classes around owning a business. You do not have to graduate from college to get good information from college classes. You just need to consider the cost versus the benefit of going to college.
Gloria
Rafael Aguilera
1
Answer
Waukegan, Illinois
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
I've met a couple of wholesale real estate investors in my life. Because the knowledge behind Wholesaling is widely available through books, YouTube and mentors, most of the wholesalers I've met are entrepreneurs with no college degree. I have also met others with college degrees and real estate licenses (Illinois), and they are doing very well in the field as well! That being said, they usually carry degrees in Real Estate, Economics or Communications.
At the end of the day, I don't think college is a was a time nor a requirement to become a wholesale real estate agent!
Reflect and consider your options. It may be a tough decision but it's one that can potentially impact your life!
At the end of the day, I don't think college is a was a time nor a requirement to become a wholesale real estate agent!
Reflect and consider your options. It may be a tough decision but it's one that can potentially impact your life!
Michael Eadeh
Investor
21
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi, just because Bill Gates didn’t graduate college. Doesn’t mean it’s still not a good idea to get a degree. No matter what field you choose to be in. I have a GED 10th grade education. But it’s been a grind to run my own business for 39 years. I tell all young people to get as much education if you have a desire to do so. It’s never a bad thing. You may get into real estate and decide it’s not something for you. What would you fall back on? These are things you need to think about for your future! Also remember wholesalers and real estate agents are two different things. You don’t need to have a real estate license to wholesale properties. You need to do more research first! Good luck!
Michael
Michael
Ken Fischer
Loss Control
12
Answers
Fenton, Michigan
Updated
Ken’s Answer
College is not necessary to become a realtor. There may be some benefits from studying business management and marketing as your business grows. However, if you are planning to work under a broker, many of these activities are conducted by the brokerage firm or necessary information can be obtained through the company.
If you are looking to open your own office, an education in business and marketing would be helpful. It is also possible to take specific courses through a local community college directly related to topic you are wanting to learn about without obtaining a degree or spending time and money taking the gen ed courses that colleges and universities require.
If you are looking to open your own office, an education in business and marketing would be helpful. It is also possible to take specific courses through a local community college directly related to topic you are wanting to learn about without obtaining a degree or spending time and money taking the gen ed courses that colleges and universities require.
Mark Morgan
Telecom Engineer/Truck Driver
148
Answers
Newburgh, Kentucky
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Airic!
College is not necessary to become a real estate agent. However, I would say that it's a waist of time. There is much to be gained by achieving a four year degree. However the time and the cost is certainly something to consider.
If you go to college to get a business or finance degree, it will complement a career in real estate. In fact, there are degrees for real estate. People skills for example are super helpful in real estate. College teaches students a lot of important people skills. If you have a finance degree, it will be easier to understand the details behind a confusing mortgage. And with the amount of marketing that done in real estate a Marketing degree would be beneficial.
A degree is going to make you more attractive to a hiring brokerage firm. In addition, if you get to the point where want to advance into other areas such as corporate real estate, a bachelor's degree becomes even more important.
Real estate is one career that really requires self-motivation. If you've got solid knowledge and education in your arsenal, you will be way ahead of the competition . Some important areas of education to consider are:
Real Estate
Business Administration
Finance
Marketing
So again, real estate agents are not required to have a bachelor's degree. However, the financial transactions and responsibilities surrounding real estate sales are complex to say the least. More and more companies are choosing to hire college graduates.
Hope this helps!
Mark
College is not necessary to become a real estate agent. However, I would say that it's a waist of time. There is much to be gained by achieving a four year degree. However the time and the cost is certainly something to consider.
If you go to college to get a business or finance degree, it will complement a career in real estate. In fact, there are degrees for real estate. People skills for example are super helpful in real estate. College teaches students a lot of important people skills. If you have a finance degree, it will be easier to understand the details behind a confusing mortgage. And with the amount of marketing that done in real estate a Marketing degree would be beneficial.
A degree is going to make you more attractive to a hiring brokerage firm. In addition, if you get to the point where want to advance into other areas such as corporate real estate, a bachelor's degree becomes even more important.
Real estate is one career that really requires self-motivation. If you've got solid knowledge and education in your arsenal, you will be way ahead of the competition . Some important areas of education to consider are:
Real Estate
Business Administration
Finance
Marketing
So again, real estate agents are not required to have a bachelor's degree. However, the financial transactions and responsibilities surrounding real estate sales are complex to say the least. More and more companies are choosing to hire college graduates.
Hope this helps!
Mark