patrick.net

I had the same question. If I am looking at to buy a ~$500K house in about 3 years, why not just take an online realtor class, get the stupid license, represent myself and save the $15K in commission. I would also get more detailed data from the MLS rather than relying on a stupid realtor. Then just stop paying the license fee and move on.

Makes sense to me, but is there something I'm missing?

How much do the classes cost, how much for the NAr membership, and how much for MLS access?

i did it. SUPER EASY.
Except if you are your own agent you will STILL be better off letting the listing agent double dip the commission to snag a good deal.

Sad huh?

When is it worth it? to SELL your own home (and u get to double dip, cha-ching!)

Here is what I spent:

Time: 2 weekends of cramming to pass broker exam.
$:
about $200 in classess/books
NAR/MLS Access/Keybox: $1200 a year.

you do get a lot with mls/car/nar membership - the CAR forms are standard and if you submit an offer 'not' on a CAR form they will normally trash it due to legal liability or ask it to be on a car form.

NOW if you dont have a 4 year degree the whole situation is different you gotta be a slave to a broker for 2 years.

If you passed to BAR exam already its even easier - no classes just take exam (i think).

Its all spelled out here:
http://www.dre.ca.gov/lic_home.html

I would like to point out that most people who have spent 5 years bashing agents woulda been better off getting the license and learning the hard way how 'it works'. INCLUDING PATRICK!

That sounds like a good deal to me. One way or another I would save money on the deal, either by being more knowledgeable and getting the short sale at a better price, or by buying a REO/Normal Sale myself and saving the $15K commission.

Thanks for the info!

YES. I applaud your attempt at 'if you cant beat em join em'. It really is super easy to pass any and ALL government exams. One reason is EEOC requirements and the fact that median IQ is what they are geared for. If you work in IT or pass exams in college ez its a breeze.

I let my license expire as I am renting 4eva and RE appears to 'be broken' as an investment for a long time to come.

PockyClipsNow:my understanding is that even with a 4 year college degree, you still need to take a good set of RE classes. Did you take these required classes beforehand?

Thanks

How about 1 year broker enslavement and a 2 year degree?

$1200 a year seems steep to me.

Become your own agent? Well then you'd have to give up your virtue called - honesty. LOL.

yes the online classes are super cheap and easy.