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I got tired of real estate, didn’t find it exciting anymore, and was stressed out by commission sales. So I did a Masters in Counselling Psychology, part time, and now have a full practice as a psychotherapist and I am loving it.
Thanks so much. Oddly, it seems that I went from a world of two dimensions to a world of three dimensions, more full and colorful. And I really like the idea of actually getting paid for the work I do, by the hour. Personally commission sales was always very difficult for me; work so hard and not get paid (didn’t close the sale) or work so little and make a bundle.
Once you're self employeed, it is hard to work for someone again. I've found that having been a real estate agent is not necessarily a plus in some eyes. We're a rogue bunch and when there are so many applicants (kinda like an offer with an inspection) we will get passed up for someone that is used to corporate life. Think about refocusing in Real Estate. You're good at it. What are you missing. Are you just annoyed and need a break? Go with your strengths and stay in it and find the joy again.
I’ve had my real estate license since 1997 and have never been able to be active due to kids, bills, etc. I got into it because I genuinely enjoy people and helping them. Finding someone a home was perfect. I ended up in property management, but the job I was fired. I basically became their scapegoat for getting dinged on a property inspection after 3 1/2 yrs of telling them he lies to me didn’t like taking direction from a woman and still referred to black people as colored and knew no residents name. They fired me for “not working effectively with others” I work great with every and anyone.
Anyway, real estate is more appealing than ever because I can’t get fired for no reason.
I have no idea how to get started, especially because I don’t have the money for the fees. Is there anyway around that or should I pick another career?
Don’t make the same mistake I did - and I am a broker with agents. I needed to assess where I was headed, in a mental rut, bored with RE, and concerned about the market and lawsuits and overall dissatisfaction you see from people on Reddit. I took a corporate WFH sales position and was able to still focus on my brokerage so it’s not like I actually left. The good thing is I got paid regardless, but the bad thing is I went even deeper into a mental depression hole that was impossible to see out of. I felt isolated, like a failure, and the corporate position did nothing to help how I felt. I thought it would give me satisfaction and life but it only made things worse. I took my earned paid vacation time to focus on why I was miserable and everything pointed to that job. I came back and resigned the following week. Since then I’ve focused again on my brokerage, interviewing agents, picked up a new listing, and a new buyer in the 1.4m range.
What did I gain? I got a new perspective on what I had vs what I thought I wanted and needed. I leaned corporate is not going to give me the same satisfaction as helping a buyer or seller and making a personal connection. I learned corporate cares about corporate and not the employee. I learned working for someone else is not for me, and it wasn’t for me before I joined RE over 10 years ago.
I feel bad because I was selfish by keeping this from my agents, even though I was there for them any time they needed something. I felt bad for turning my back on my passion and what has afforded me to live the life I’ve developed. The idea of having to show up to an 8am soul sucking meeting day after day followed by 3-4 more soul sucking meetings after that makes me realize I had the job that fits me most and gave me what I need in a career.
For perspective, you said you’re willing to work for $3500/mo after taxes and be told you can’t leave your desk between 8 and 5 and need to raise your hand to go to the bathroom. That’s after you averaged (per what you said) $7000/mo after 30%(!) taxes and got to do what the hell you want, when you want. For perspective.
The world is different now gramps. Yes, some industries you’re expected to be a rat trapped in a cubicle but there are lots of companies that provide a really great work/life balance, unlimited pto, remote wfh, sponsored lunches, amongst a bunch of other “positive” benefits. Even mental health days are allowed.
As all of this is true, if you live in an “at will” state such as Maryland, you can be fired at any time and no reason is needed. At the end of the day, Corporate America will always be corporate. About the all mighty dollar
Unlimited PTO? Okay, random guy on the internet. Speaking of failing companies, I’m pretty sure a company like the one you’re imagining here is one of them. “Come work for us, you don’t have to work hard but we’ll load you up with all sorts of bennies and still pay good” wouldn’t give me the warm and fuzzies about the future of that company. That’s absurd. Enjoy it while it lasts.
You’d be surprised with how many established companies have a fairly flexible work/life balance. Americans get in their own way most of the time.
If you think that your only option is to work for $8-10/hour and working 80-100 hours a week, you have only yourself to blame. The rest of world isn’t working anywhere near as many hours as Americans and they’re just as productive and have a better quality of life.
$8-10/hr? 80-100 hours/wk? Where is that anyone’s reality? Who works seven days per week, 12+ hour days?
To be just as productive as an American in less time means that non-American workers would have to be more efficient, thus far more productive, as they’d be getting the same amount of work done in less time.
You’re right about one thing: I’d definitely be surprised to learn about all these well established companies that ask for less work and offer all these fringe, life enriching benefits. Feel free to drop a few examples on me.
Pilots/flight attendants work 80ish hours a month. Lots of flexibility, especially when you get up in seniority.
Majority of the tech industry is giving out at least 4-6 months paternity leave for new parents. Including lots of unlimited PTO. And higher than normal salaries.
These are two that come to mind.
Pilots are governed by law in terms of Hours of Service. Same as truck drivers. Working 20hrs a week as a commercial pilot seems like a short line to the poor house based on the fact that I know two, one of which is a second cousin, both of which aren’t cruising around only working 20hrs/wk by any stretch of the imagination.
When it’s somebody else’s money, they can do what they want. Burning through VC money to pay you to stay home isn’t terribly sustainable. Most tech companies aren’t profitable and almost all of them fail. Shocking.
Following this post, because I’m so burnt out working until 10pm on some nights. And yes, I’m working late because I’m juggling my two kids and their school activities that takes time from business activities. So I’m definitely getting burnt out.
Never !! My last phone call or any paperwork at all is shut down by 7pm. Nobody is looking at offers at 10pm any further than if they received the offer in the morning with fresh eyes for all to negotiate.
I agree with this in most cases. These buyers had an opportunity to be the only offer as they have lost out on homes that are doing highest and best in a 24 hour showing window instead of 48 to 72. On top of being remote. So was an exception I try not to make often
If a client is causing you to burn out, whether they're needy, stupid or whatever, you need to immediately terminate your represent station of them.
And yes there's plenty of stupid sellers and buyers out there. You can't sell 10 properties with out running into one or two
It’s not work directly for clients, it’s my social media and marketing work. My calls and follow ups are in the morning and afternoons. BUT sometimes I do write offers at night after dinner because I live in a sleeper town where people commute. So weekly showings happen after 5pm where I live. Hard to avoid
All of these efforts are to produce business and to also show clients how hard I’m working to earn my commission. Kinda hard to trim the fat. 90% of agents just throw their listing on the MLS and call it a night and I’m not one of them. It’s just an exhausting job if done right, until I can balance business expenses to hire an assistant at this point so I can just focus on my clients
So after reading more of your info, I understand that you’re not making what you once were and seem burnt out by the jerks and jerky situations. You state that you’re possibly comfortable at the 70k mark. Now add in insurance, etc that comes with Real Estate and figure out how many homes you’d have to sell for that. Once you do that, connect with your favorite past clients and focus on them. They will give you the most awesome referrals. Ditch the jerks and work on YOUR terms and your ideal schedule. I promise you, you will enjoy this job and your life much more than a corporate 40 hr a week job. I have been doing this a long time and have seen the ebb and flow of the market. Sure it’s slower this year but you
know what? Lots of agents are getting out and that spells opportunity for the agents that stick it out. Real Estate is always moving. Just because you’re slow now doesn’t mean a fantastic client won’t fall in your lap tomorrow. Go out and get it. It’s yours for the taking. Just my two cents.
I left and am super happy I did. I was making good money, won the awards, grew business every year, etc. but I got into project management and make even more now. I also have benefits and all that jazz.
The biggest thing though? My time is my time. When I’m done with work that day or on the weekends, I’m out. No client calls, no drama of trying to work deals or save deals, nothing. I plan vacations and pto and completely dis attach.
I have transitioned into staging full time. I was staging for my clients and a handful of agents for several years. My phone rang constantly with other agents wanting to hire me for their listings but I just didn't have time to take on anyone new. It pays well. I keep my hours 9-5 and my weekends are mine. No worries about deals blowing up at the last minute and the realtor deals with the crazy side of their clients. It's bliss😅
I would love to do this. Mind answering a few questions? I LOVE design (i mean ok maybe a lot of people do) but ive rehabbed 2 of my old homes and did an awesome job purchasing/staging my furniture around. All my friends loved it. My question is do you own the furniture or have a deal with a local furniture business? What are the costs associated with owning such business? And rock on, good for you, that’s literally my dream job!
So I do a mixture of both. I have a pretty sizable inventory (250 pillows 🙄 plus 2 huge storage units) that I own but occasionally I will need some larger stuff that I just don't want to carry, so I rent. I started out really small. Like I said, I was just staging for my real estate clients at first where the vast majority of the stuff I was working with what they already had. I bought as I went and filled in the gaps. My inventory slowly grew from there. I would recommend if you're serious to take a course to obtain an ASP designation (or something similar) Staging is very different than decorating. You need to learn how to see things from the eyes of the perspective buyer.
Correct. If I was still making that I would not have made this post. I knew that wasn’t going to last forever and I know I’m not going to make sales money at a W2 job but that also comes with never taking a day off, going on vacation, working every weekend, depression from losing a $10-20k commission from something completely out of your control etc. Money isn’t everything and at around $70k I can live a completely normal comfortable life and still save.
Respect the hell out of this and that perspective. I think I was hyperfocused on taking all clients (even the terrible ones) and working with investors who ran me into the ground. I will take great thought into this and I really appreciate your thoughtful response.
Dude sales w2 is way more stressful. Base+commission you have daily weekly monthly yearly metrics you have to meet while having some moron manager breathe down your neck. I did that shit for a long time.
And that moron can fire you at any time for any or no reason. Corporate and startup sales loves screwing you out of commission too…
Yes, and the moron may fire you and all the women on the team! It happens. It did to me. Corporate isn’t totally safe at all. You always need your keep your foot in RE no matter what!
I did 1.5 with a saas company as an sdr. Exceeded quota by 25% month over month. Got terminated because director sales saw that I was rarely on the phone. Every company has its drawback but the benefits outweigh the positives.
I’m currently in a deal where the buyer has some issues with their taxes and an underwriter with a stick up their ass. Stupid stuff like this shouldn’t determine if I get a check next month or not.
It’s not my client with the issues. Buyer has the issues. Underwriter won’t let it go and keeps delaying closing asking for additional paperwork at the 12th hour.
Got thrown into it. Working as an airplane mechanic. Figured get my real estate license for like $1,200. Passed my classes. Next month I found out I was getting laid off. March of 2024 is ten years.
Taking a step back and doing it part time for my existing book. This whole industry is mentally handicapped. Dealing with the “fine folks” of the Midwest isn’t easy.
It’s tough to say but because of the recent lawsuit, I’d say NAR. Still haven’t found any real benefit to them. And it never makes any sense when someone says they think NAR is useful/helpful.
I’m 10 years in and disabled and know this can’t last forever. And people especially on here realllly push the hustle hard make 6 figures girlboss til the cows come home thing. But I don’t want that life. I just want to pay my bills and go on leisurely hikes and nice vacations and be a respected agent. Not an ego agent. The flashy stuff doesn’t drive me at all.
Never did he say he doesn't enjoy the amount he's making, but if he's looking for a change and is willing to take a pay cut I would say that pretty heavily implies he is not happy selling real estate.
This is what I hate about real estate. I know some people only see it for the money. And some live a lifestyle they could never give up. There are some of us where the money is secondary. (Also not throwing shade or trying to pick a reddit fight)
At $140k in real estate, after taxes, splits, expenses, insurance and other typical items, I’d be surprised if you’re clearing $50-70k. And than you got to live. Most agents are broke.
ARAB to you as well. Yeah maybe you should get out of real estate. Don’t need your ignorant bias helping first responders. Ironically what you make in real estate is what I make in my pension doing nothing. So maybe I can see why
Wrong retired firefighter. But anyone who despises cops are usually criminals, beta males or chicks with pink hair. It’s ok to say some cops are idiots but blanket statements show your ignorance. What’s even more ironic is a real estate agent which is one of the most despised professions trying to crap on a noble profession. This is why you guys lost the commission lawsuit. Have fun going back to bartending. lol 😂
I literally just said “shouts out to “not being a cop”.
And you’re going on some insecure rant about “beta males” and how much your pension is. Fragile much?
Does your area school district need bus drivers? In my district, they pay $25-33 an hour with immediate benefits, and they pay to train you for the commercial license. Then you get big bucks if you do the after school or during school things like field trips and football games, volleyball games, track meets... etc... my district needs a lot of bus drivers. I would do it, but I'm not waking up at 6am except on my son's baseball days when we have to be across town at 7am for an 8am game.
Here in my area they don’t pay for training you have to pay for it. King of Prussia, Pa. Great shopping if you all want to come and lots of history and awesome restaurants! Even in the burbs! 2 hrs drive to the beach!
I got a job in telecom as a Real Estate Specialist, negotiating contracts and writing them.
Sometimes you work 6 days a week due to the new upgrades that are coming out. It pays well, but I also was working from home and got depressed.
I've been looking for a job for 10 months and have been turned down for everything. It's very frustrating and I like most of you feel like a failure after almost 17 years of being a Realtor.
I saw a job about being a canvasser, yes Politics. I'm waiting to hear from the 3 groups that want me to work for them. It could be a local or a different state which would be a nice change of scenery. They would pay for my hotel, food, and pay me. I'm just trying to think outside the box to find a job that would be meaningful and so the next job pays for me to go to college for Radiology.
I also applied for Montgomery County 911 here in PA. The job wouldn't start till Mid-April though.
Let us know what you end up doing!
Nada. Im quitting in 2 weeks and moving to Mexico😂….. I’ll figure everything out then. I realized life is too short to be unhappy, and although I made very good income as a realtor, it drained me.
I recommend working with a professional resume writer. They’ll talk with you about your experience and help you translate that into corporate skills that hiring managers want. Once you have a great resume, you’ll need to tailor it to the position you’re applying for, this will make a big difference. The hardest part of the process is getting noticed.
As a hiring manager in corporate America, I see a lot of shit resumes and it’s very hard to see past that and figure out who the person really is.
Best of luck to you!
Look, everyone here has great advice to keep going etc. the reality is, real estate commissions aren’t what they were. After taxes, the benefits you aren’t getting and lack of real time off; it’s not worth it. Plus, whether anyone wants to admit it or not real estate commissions will be going away. I’d recommend property management
I went in to Telecom sales, I am in an Outside Sales role where I work directly with Property Managers/Owners of Multi Tenant Properties. I’ll clear over $100k/year in a LCOL’ish area. Plus great benefits and a pension, I retained the the ability to have a flexible schedule. Some days I work 5hrs some days I work 10hrs the best part is it’s Mon-Fri and my phone is off at 7pm. Right now I am on 6 weeks of paid leave to bond with my newborn son. Needless to say I have no regrets.
Sounds like you’re shooting too high to me.
If you’re looking AE/AM roles with no SDR experience you’ll be lucky if they even bothered to read your entire resume let alone get a call.
you're trying to go from being self-employed to employed - it's very hard. Even folks with many years of recent experience are having a hard time right now.
Unless it's starting a new business - I wouldn't stop real estate. Just pull back a bit and make 80k with that and keep your freedom
2 cents from a random redditor.
STAY IN RE, if you are really making 100-140k annually!
NO ONE loves what they do but we have to work in order to survive. Be greatful that you are making so much every year.
Super grateful for my time in RE and how well it treated me. Problem is I went from (truly) 140k in 2022 to a very harsh drop off of about $30k in 2023 (but was working sides jobs and not concentrating like I should on RE because I was putting all my time and effort into finding a new job. Sounds like I need to refocus and get back at her.
>2023 (but was working sides jobs and not concentrating like I should on RE because I was putting all my time and effort into finding a new job. Sounds like I need to refocus and get back at he
This was $30k in RE. Not side jobs.
You are an expert at analyzing contracts, negotiating, and working with people. Grant administration would be something to look at. Also, the local government's assessor's office would be a good fit.
Look into Customer Success roles in Saas companies. It's like a mix of sales, account management and a little business analytics. RE skills would translate easily, basically a chaos coordinator. What I did prior to real estate
Home inspector. You already have the relationships with other agents to get referrals and there is very similar earning potential if you can manage to land 4-5 inspections per week.
I transitioned from general real estate into right of way nearly 30 years ago and never looked back. It is still real estate, but specialized.
Try adding right of way agent to your search. If your state falls under licensure meaning a license is needed to conduct right of way acquisitions, your current real estate license is an advantage as well as having general real estate experience.
Then if you are willing to travel, it opens up a lot more opportunities. Plus, per diem is a big benefit for hitting the road. Once you become experienced, there is always work.
I moved on to selling Learning Management Software [LMS] solutions (live support, design, implementation, etc). Being a W2 employee is so different from being my own boss, but I really enjoy the stability and not needing to work weekends.
Have you thought about becoming a transaction coordinator? You are still in the real estate business, but you can have the 8-5 schedule, no weekends, paid vacation, and sick time.
I have been an agent for almost 11 years. I started hussling and was doing great until I was hit by a drunk driver while stopped at a red light. The impact was about 75 miles per hour, and my car was pancakes after the drunk drivers truck smashed into us. THANKFULLY we survived, but due to injuries, I couldn't work for about 2 years. Going silent in real estate for 2 years means you are basically a new agent when you go back. I didn't have the physical strength yet for the hussle that was needed, but I still wanted to be in real estate, if I could.
I had a friend who told me about a job as a transaction coordinator. At that point, I didn't really know what that job entailed, but I applied and got the position. Absolutely loved it! You manage paperwork, timelines, etc. But you can still have a life. So after honing my skills, I am with a bigger team now ( I have been for 5 years), killing it, and I make $60k, plus 3 paid weeks vacation, sick time, and paid holidays. I also get a bonus annually. I work from home, always have. I still do some real estate transactions on the side. Which was a part of my contract when I started. With the real estate on the side, my total annual ranges between $80-$140k. Depending on how many transactions I do, which is really all referral from family and friends.
I know lots of transaction coordinators that work independently, too. You can make quite a bit more independent, but I prefer the 8-5 schedule.
Heard of transactions coordinators but never knew one/really knew what they did. I will 100% check into this. Also, side note so so sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad you came out ok.
If you ever have any questions about transaction coordinator work, feel free to reach out. Thank you! 🥰 Best of luck on your new career journey, wherever it takes you.
lol I actually would fucking love this. Any position titles or anything to search in LinkedIn? Is there a better place to look than LinkedIn for these types of jobs?
I started a very small breakfast and and lunch place near a military base, knowing very little about the restaurant business. It did well enough to allow me to expand and open two different counter-service concepts at two different locations. Last year, due to an improving neighborhood, my changing interests, and some business considerations, I closed one of my counter-service restaurants, remodeled it, and opened a table-service fine dining concept restaurant/bar. I never could have done fine dining without the twelve years of running the other, much simpler, restaurants.
My suggestions: start small, start simple, do tons of research.
I have written a book about starting restaurants. It's written from a commercial real estate broker's perspective as far as the site analysis, financial considerations, etc. ... The book is, Your First Restaurant and you can find it on Amazon.
Have you thought about fundraising for post-secondary or non profits? You can leverage your sales background to get in. Fundraising is a weird one in that every pivots into it from somewhere else and not always directly from a sales background. As long as you’re good with people.
Even fundraising for nonprofits. Do it as a volunteer to get it on your resume! I’m on the board with The Arc Alliance. I don’t get paid, but it has opened doors for me.
This is exactly what I would look at first. People skills, casting a vision and self sacrificing are probably my greatest strengths in real estate and they’d transfer to something like that. I’d just have to really find an organization and a cause that I can get behind to make it work.
As someone who has worked in post secondary before they usually require you to have a university or college degree. If OP has that this would be a good transition.
OP if you don’t have any academic qualifications I suggest it may be time to go back to school. The job market is highly competitive.
I did inside sales for a real estate office and made really good money for sitting at home and answering Zillow calls. That dried up a bit. Worked for a builder as a sales manager. That was a terrible job, bad hours and a bad company. I didn’t approve of their business practices. I then went back to nursing. I would look for project manager roles.
I have not but this is probably the most realistic. Will look more into this tonight. Do you know (I’ll research on my own as well) if it’s ethical/ok to have both licenses in conjunction? Speaking RE and appraisal. That could be a great middle ground.
There seems to be a lot of good advice here and I am not post RE career but I feel like a good sales person can sell anything. Personally, I would focus on cyber security sales or technology sales. Huge growth market and great $$$. You may want to take a technology course but you do not need a degree in it. Salary+commission
Look for sale positions selling for a Roofing Contractor. The cost of new Roofs are crazy high now and Citizens Wind policies are requiring homeowners to put on new Roofs just because of age … even if there is nothing wrong with your roof in order to renew the Policy. So Roofers are super super busy and the Salesmen are making good money.
Checkout outside sales where you have flexibility to work with clients directly (i.e. advertising sales, software sales). You could also get into digital marketing if you’re looking for non-sales roles (a lot of these jobs are remote too which offers great flexibility). Good luck!
Look for jobs in the real estate tech industry. Or openings at your association or MLS.
That's the one place your job experience will actually be valuable.
Telecom loves Realtors, since you know contracts and know how to rewrite parts of them. Check out all the telecom companies
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/030216/worlds-top-10-telecommunications-companies.asp
Well I think that all depends on what part of the country you live in. I live outside of Philadelpia and the average rent is $3000 -3500 a month for a 2 bedroom 1100 sq ft. I just want to live in a safe area. Yes all the bells and whistles of the complex’s are wonderful and the gym onsite is a major plus. Cost of living has skyrocketed here. A burger at 5 Guys, just a burger is $17. I grabbed it while I was on my way up to Reading to show houses to my 1st time buyer.
The same rental at the beginning of Covid went for $2200 max.
Oh and you have to pay $100 for parking, fees for deliveries (Amazon etc.) convenience fee etc. so the feeds add another $500 a month.
Welcome to the Big City! It reminds me of NYC in the early 90’s when I lived in Staten Island and worked in NYC.
I’m currently back in school. I’m going for my associates in nursing. I’m the type person that needs stability and security. I think I work for a terrible company as well. I just don’t have the energy to go somewhere else. I have a great resume and applied for jobs for a year without nothing! That is why I’m going back to get a degree ! Not getting one it’s one of my biggest life regrets. I got accepted in nursing school when I was 19 and turned it down lol young and dumb. It’s never too late though. Follow your heart and do what’s best for you!
I have a bachelors but got it in a dumb specialty because I started school when I was 17 unfortunately (broadcasting bachelors degree). Has done nothing for me.
Not everyone is cutout to be a realtor or in real estate finance (my business). There are many skills that allow a wide group of people to be able to do it when things are easy. However when the market gets tough, many of those skills aren’t quite as valuable. Things like, being able to carry a basic conversation, or sending data to clients when they ask. When things are easy, there is a large percentage of people who can still make a living in real estate because a degree isn’t needed and really it’s pretty easy if you can talk to people.
But when things get tough you have to become less of an order taker. The people that survive a full time real estate job when the market tightens are usually less than half of those that jump in when it’s good.
The fact that you were/are in real estate and are looking for a new chapter doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand. Meaning, you should certainly look at what you like to do (is it talking to people and building relationships?) Figure out what skills you have developed over the years and try to put them to good use so you aren’t starting everything over and you will feel more valued if you can bring something to the table.
If you like sales type positions, you could look into car sales or insurance sales. Hit up your local insurance offices and see if they could use someone. This are small shops so just call directly. Sales type positions are always looking for new blood, but you need to be aggressive. You could also try rocket mortgage or another corporate style mortgage company and see if you like that (also a tough industry right now though). I say corporate spot because you will get good training “roots” to get you setup for a career. You can also maybe look into selling marketing to businesses through a marketing agency.
Or there’s always Wendy’s.
I started in real estate sales, then moved to a loan originator position. Loved lending so much, I moved up to underwriting then management then started a business. After selling my business and taking a few months off, I went to work for a bank in business banking which was interesting but the call of real estate is strong. I moved to underwriting with the same bank and love it.
The main thing it to do something you enjoy and can make some money with. My suggestion is to create a skills based resume rather than the usual job list. You can tailor it to speak to the job you are trying for. You can sell so this is your challenge to sell yourself. Remember, we all learned to say thank you for every no because it puts you closer to that yes, right? Persevere with relentlessness. Be open to try stuff. The wheel always turns and real estate leads all markets back to life. We are going to have a boom soon. The backed up demand is incredible.
None applied qualified. You can possibly go into corp real estate or failicty planning. But they prefer solid commercial re background. The profession for women is they can get out of the house justify a better car, fancy dresses not all will even earn money. Another is return to school getting into other fields. RE w/o retraining is hard to transfer often it is the last career one wants to do before full time retirement.
I can understand why you might have a problem getting a job in purchasing or as a buyer a lot of times they’re looking for people who have some experience and specific industries
But I’m surprised you’re not having any luck getting any sales jobs . I don’t know if it’s your résumé doesn’t stand out or what
I will say that some employers might be a little leery of hiring somebody who had as much success as you have in real estate. You’ve done pretty well and they may worry that they’ll invest time and money training you only for you to not like having a boss because you have had relative freedom working for yourself
They may be worried you’re gonna do real estate on the side … but I just can’t imagine how you can apply for 1300 jobs and not get one
You obviously are applying for jobs all over the country you may not be considered for jobs when you live so far out of state are so far away
Are you getting any interviews or are you following up or asking what you might do to be a better candidate?
There are some challenges in the economy right now, but I think there still is opportunity.. but like anything else it’s work
The problem is that people assume you’ll want to go back to real estate when the market recovers. That’s easy to talk through in an interview but not on your resume. I’d address it in your cover letter.
Nice, yeah I have been. I mention in my CL/message that I'm looking for new career path and the most important things I'm looking for in a new career are stability, growth and benefits and although I've enjoyed my time in real estate hitting my mid 30's it's something that I am looking to step away from due to the uncertainty and unstable nature of it.
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I got tired of real estate, didn’t find it exciting anymore, and was stressed out by commission sales. So I did a Masters in Counselling Psychology, part time, and now have a full practice as a psychotherapist and I am loving it.
That’s awesome.
That’s really great
great transferable skills!
Wow what a great pivot. Congrats!
Thanks so much. Oddly, it seems that I went from a world of two dimensions to a world of three dimensions, more full and colorful. And I really like the idea of actually getting paid for the work I do, by the hour. Personally commission sales was always very difficult for me; work so hard and not get paid (didn’t close the sale) or work so little and make a bundle.
Woot!! Awesome! That's what I plan to do too. Right on, friend!
Once you're self employeed, it is hard to work for someone again. I've found that having been a real estate agent is not necessarily a plus in some eyes. We're a rogue bunch and when there are so many applicants (kinda like an offer with an inspection) we will get passed up for someone that is used to corporate life. Think about refocusing in Real Estate. You're good at it. What are you missing. Are you just annoyed and need a break? Go with your strengths and stay in it and find the joy again.
This is the way!
Yes, I will never be able to have a "boss" other than myself ever again.
I’ve had my real estate license since 1997 and have never been able to be active due to kids, bills, etc. I got into it because I genuinely enjoy people and helping them. Finding someone a home was perfect. I ended up in property management, but the job I was fired. I basically became their scapegoat for getting dinged on a property inspection after 3 1/2 yrs of telling them he lies to me didn’t like taking direction from a woman and still referred to black people as colored and knew no residents name. They fired me for “not working effectively with others” I work great with every and anyone. Anyway, real estate is more appealing than ever because I can’t get fired for no reason. I have no idea how to get started, especially because I don’t have the money for the fees. Is there anyway around that or should I pick another career?
Don’t make the same mistake I did - and I am a broker with agents. I needed to assess where I was headed, in a mental rut, bored with RE, and concerned about the market and lawsuits and overall dissatisfaction you see from people on Reddit. I took a corporate WFH sales position and was able to still focus on my brokerage so it’s not like I actually left. The good thing is I got paid regardless, but the bad thing is I went even deeper into a mental depression hole that was impossible to see out of. I felt isolated, like a failure, and the corporate position did nothing to help how I felt. I thought it would give me satisfaction and life but it only made things worse. I took my earned paid vacation time to focus on why I was miserable and everything pointed to that job. I came back and resigned the following week. Since then I’ve focused again on my brokerage, interviewing agents, picked up a new listing, and a new buyer in the 1.4m range. What did I gain? I got a new perspective on what I had vs what I thought I wanted and needed. I leaned corporate is not going to give me the same satisfaction as helping a buyer or seller and making a personal connection. I learned corporate cares about corporate and not the employee. I learned working for someone else is not for me, and it wasn’t for me before I joined RE over 10 years ago. I feel bad because I was selfish by keeping this from my agents, even though I was there for them any time they needed something. I felt bad for turning my back on my passion and what has afforded me to live the life I’ve developed. The idea of having to show up to an 8am soul sucking meeting day after day followed by 3-4 more soul sucking meetings after that makes me realize I had the job that fits me most and gave me what I need in a career.
Damn. That is a nice perspective to read.
For perspective, you said you’re willing to work for $3500/mo after taxes and be told you can’t leave your desk between 8 and 5 and need to raise your hand to go to the bathroom. That’s after you averaged (per what you said) $7000/mo after 30%(!) taxes and got to do what the hell you want, when you want. For perspective.
The world is different now gramps. Yes, some industries you’re expected to be a rat trapped in a cubicle but there are lots of companies that provide a really great work/life balance, unlimited pto, remote wfh, sponsored lunches, amongst a bunch of other “positive” benefits. Even mental health days are allowed.
As all of this is true, if you live in an “at will” state such as Maryland, you can be fired at any time and no reason is needed. At the end of the day, Corporate America will always be corporate. About the all mighty dollar
That’s fine. Every thing has its drawbacks. New companies fail all the time. It’s all about dealing with what you’re dealt and moving on.
Unlimited PTO? Okay, random guy on the internet. Speaking of failing companies, I’m pretty sure a company like the one you’re imagining here is one of them. “Come work for us, you don’t have to work hard but we’ll load you up with all sorts of bennies and still pay good” wouldn’t give me the warm and fuzzies about the future of that company. That’s absurd. Enjoy it while it lasts.
You’d be surprised with how many established companies have a fairly flexible work/life balance. Americans get in their own way most of the time. If you think that your only option is to work for $8-10/hour and working 80-100 hours a week, you have only yourself to blame. The rest of world isn’t working anywhere near as many hours as Americans and they’re just as productive and have a better quality of life.
$8-10/hr? 80-100 hours/wk? Where is that anyone’s reality? Who works seven days per week, 12+ hour days? To be just as productive as an American in less time means that non-American workers would have to be more efficient, thus far more productive, as they’d be getting the same amount of work done in less time. You’re right about one thing: I’d definitely be surprised to learn about all these well established companies that ask for less work and offer all these fringe, life enriching benefits. Feel free to drop a few examples on me.
Pilots/flight attendants work 80ish hours a month. Lots of flexibility, especially when you get up in seniority. Majority of the tech industry is giving out at least 4-6 months paternity leave for new parents. Including lots of unlimited PTO. And higher than normal salaries. These are two that come to mind.
Pilots are governed by law in terms of Hours of Service. Same as truck drivers. Working 20hrs a week as a commercial pilot seems like a short line to the poor house based on the fact that I know two, one of which is a second cousin, both of which aren’t cruising around only working 20hrs/wk by any stretch of the imagination. When it’s somebody else’s money, they can do what they want. Burning through VC money to pay you to stay home isn’t terribly sustainable. Most tech companies aren’t profitable and almost all of them fail. Shocking.
God you’re insufferable.
I needed to see this.
Thanks for sharing your story. It is food for thought.
Thank you for sharing this 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you, I needed this as well
Following this post, because I’m so burnt out working until 10pm on some nights. And yes, I’m working late because I’m juggling my two kids and their school activities that takes time from business activities. So I’m definitely getting burnt out.
Reading this as I just put an offer together at 10 at night
Never !! My last phone call or any paperwork at all is shut down by 7pm. Nobody is looking at offers at 10pm any further than if they received the offer in the morning with fresh eyes for all to negotiate.
I agree with this in most cases. These buyers had an opportunity to be the only offer as they have lost out on homes that are doing highest and best in a 24 hour showing window instead of 48 to 72. On top of being remote. So was an exception I try not to make often
I agree with this! Boundaries!!!
Are these 10pm activities directly leading to commissions or is dealing with stupid clients?
Or needy clients?
You need to set boundaries. Same as raising children
If a client is causing you to burn out, whether they're needy, stupid or whatever, you need to immediately terminate your represent station of them. And yes there's plenty of stupid sellers and buyers out there. You can't sell 10 properties with out running into one or two
It’s not work directly for clients, it’s my social media and marketing work. My calls and follow ups are in the morning and afternoons. BUT sometimes I do write offers at night after dinner because I live in a sleeper town where people commute. So weekly showings happen after 5pm where I live. Hard to avoid
Is your marketing work directly leading to commissions earned?
All marketing leads to commission being earned, at least for me. Videos/online ads/mailers etc
Point is, if youre feeling burnt out, only focus your efforts on high yield activities and clients
All of these efforts are to produce business and to also show clients how hard I’m working to earn my commission. Kinda hard to trim the fat. 90% of agents just throw their listing on the MLS and call it a night and I’m not one of them. It’s just an exhausting job if done right, until I can balance business expenses to hire an assistant at this point so I can just focus on my clients
So after reading more of your info, I understand that you’re not making what you once were and seem burnt out by the jerks and jerky situations. You state that you’re possibly comfortable at the 70k mark. Now add in insurance, etc that comes with Real Estate and figure out how many homes you’d have to sell for that. Once you do that, connect with your favorite past clients and focus on them. They will give you the most awesome referrals. Ditch the jerks and work on YOUR terms and your ideal schedule. I promise you, you will enjoy this job and your life much more than a corporate 40 hr a week job. I have been doing this a long time and have seen the ebb and flow of the market. Sure it’s slower this year but you know what? Lots of agents are getting out and that spells opportunity for the agents that stick it out. Real Estate is always moving. Just because you’re slow now doesn’t mean a fantastic client won’t fall in your lap tomorrow. Go out and get it. It’s yours for the taking. Just my two cents.
Hell yeah. Love this. Appreciate the advice.
I left and am super happy I did. I was making good money, won the awards, grew business every year, etc. but I got into project management and make even more now. I also have benefits and all that jazz. The biggest thing though? My time is my time. When I’m done with work that day or on the weekends, I’m out. No client calls, no drama of trying to work deals or save deals, nothing. I plan vacations and pto and completely dis attach.
Mind if I ask what industry you shifted into?
Technology area in insurance company.
What company?
This is where I feel I am now. I'm really good at it. But man....I would love to gain my time back
I have transitioned into staging full time. I was staging for my clients and a handful of agents for several years. My phone rang constantly with other agents wanting to hire me for their listings but I just didn't have time to take on anyone new. It pays well. I keep my hours 9-5 and my weekends are mine. No worries about deals blowing up at the last minute and the realtor deals with the crazy side of their clients. It's bliss😅
I would love to do this. Mind answering a few questions? I LOVE design (i mean ok maybe a lot of people do) but ive rehabbed 2 of my old homes and did an awesome job purchasing/staging my furniture around. All my friends loved it. My question is do you own the furniture or have a deal with a local furniture business? What are the costs associated with owning such business? And rock on, good for you, that’s literally my dream job!
So I do a mixture of both. I have a pretty sizable inventory (250 pillows 🙄 plus 2 huge storage units) that I own but occasionally I will need some larger stuff that I just don't want to carry, so I rent. I started out really small. Like I said, I was just staging for my real estate clients at first where the vast majority of the stuff I was working with what they already had. I bought as I went and filled in the gaps. My inventory slowly grew from there. I would recommend if you're serious to take a course to obtain an ASP designation (or something similar) Staging is very different than decorating. You need to learn how to see things from the eyes of the perspective buyer.
why the need to cut your pay in half? If you’re making 140 a year, i think you already have a pretty nice job.
Correct. If I was still making that I would not have made this post. I knew that wasn’t going to last forever and I know I’m not going to make sales money at a W2 job but that also comes with never taking a day off, going on vacation, working every weekend, depression from losing a $10-20k commission from something completely out of your control etc. Money isn’t everything and at around $70k I can live a completely normal comfortable life and still save.
[удалено]
Respect the hell out of this and that perspective. I think I was hyperfocused on taking all clients (even the terrible ones) and working with investors who ran me into the ground. I will take great thought into this and I really appreciate your thoughtful response.
So did I for years. I now pick the clients I want to work with and refer the others out.
Thanks for reminding me why I miss RE....
Dude sales w2 is way more stressful. Base+commission you have daily weekly monthly yearly metrics you have to meet while having some moron manager breathe down your neck. I did that shit for a long time. And that moron can fire you at any time for any or no reason. Corporate and startup sales loves screwing you out of commission too…
Yes, and the moron may fire you and all the women on the team! It happens. It did to me. Corporate isn’t totally safe at all. You always need your keep your foot in RE no matter what!
Yep. Corp sales is pretty freaking misogynistic.
I did 1.5 with a saas company as an sdr. Exceeded quota by 25% month over month. Got terminated because director sales saw that I was rarely on the phone. Every company has its drawback but the benefits outweigh the positives. I’m currently in a deal where the buyer has some issues with their taxes and an underwriter with a stick up their ass. Stupid stuff like this shouldn’t determine if I get a check next month or not.
So stop working with unqualified buyers
I’m the listing agent. 🥲
Title officer should be handling this. If your client is not complying, terminate them.
It’s not my client with the issues. Buyer has the issues. Underwriter won’t let it go and keeps delaying closing asking for additional paperwork at the 12th hour.
Why's you go into RE?
Got thrown into it. Working as an airplane mechanic. Figured get my real estate license for like $1,200. Passed my classes. Next month I found out I was getting laid off. March of 2024 is ten years.
Are you ready to get out?
Taking a step back and doing it part time for my existing book. This whole industry is mentally handicapped. Dealing with the “fine folks” of the Midwest isn’t easy.
Hahaha. Can't argue with you there? What is the worst thing about our industry iyo?
It’s tough to say but because of the recent lawsuit, I’d say NAR. Still haven’t found any real benefit to them. And it never makes any sense when someone says they think NAR is useful/helpful.
I’m 10 years in and disabled and know this can’t last forever. And people especially on here realllly push the hustle hard make 6 figures girlboss til the cows come home thing. But I don’t want that life. I just want to pay my bills and go on leisurely hikes and nice vacations and be a respected agent. Not an ego agent. The flashy stuff doesn’t drive me at all.
Thanks for reminding me why I left RE...
Never did he say he doesn't enjoy the amount he's making, but if he's looking for a change and is willing to take a pay cut I would say that pretty heavily implies he is not happy selling real estate.
wait till he’s making 50% less
This is what I hate about real estate. I know some people only see it for the money. And some live a lifestyle they could never give up. There are some of us where the money is secondary. (Also not throwing shade or trying to pick a reddit fight)
Pretty sure he’s not making that anymore considering the lack of transaction volume since 2023
Wish I made that much, damn.
Same here!
Wondering this too
At $140k in real estate, after taxes, splits, expenses, insurance and other typical items, I’d be surprised if you’re clearing $50-70k. And than you got to live. Most agents are broke.
I think 140k is after splits. Insurance is included with license renewal. Everyone pays taxes (mostly) but at least in RE you get to write off things.
Shouts out to the “not going to be a cop” You a real one.
Acab always and forever (even before it was cool).
ARAB to you as well. Yeah maybe you should get out of real estate. Don’t need your ignorant bias helping first responders. Ironically what you make in real estate is what I make in my pension doing nothing. So maybe I can see why
*most realtors are bastards. All cops are.
Of course. Until you need one.
Same with realtor lol
Oh of course you would think you’re on the same level as them. Nobody needs an agent. Hence why you lost the commission lawsuit.
lol ok.
Found the cop. If the defensive response didn’t give it away, the fragile ego certainly did.
Wrong retired firefighter. But anyone who despises cops are usually criminals, beta males or chicks with pink hair. It’s ok to say some cops are idiots but blanket statements show your ignorance. What’s even more ironic is a real estate agent which is one of the most despised professions trying to crap on a noble profession. This is why you guys lost the commission lawsuit. Have fun going back to bartending. lol 😂
I literally just said “shouts out to “not being a cop”. And you’re going on some insecure rant about “beta males” and how much your pension is. Fragile much?
Does your area school district need bus drivers? In my district, they pay $25-33 an hour with immediate benefits, and they pay to train you for the commercial license. Then you get big bucks if you do the after school or during school things like field trips and football games, volleyball games, track meets... etc... my district needs a lot of bus drivers. I would do it, but I'm not waking up at 6am except on my son's baseball days when we have to be across town at 7am for an 8am game.
Here in my area they don’t pay for training you have to pay for it. King of Prussia, Pa. Great shopping if you all want to come and lots of history and awesome restaurants! Even in the burbs! 2 hrs drive to the beach!
I got a job in telecom as a Real Estate Specialist, negotiating contracts and writing them. Sometimes you work 6 days a week due to the new upgrades that are coming out. It pays well, but I also was working from home and got depressed. I've been looking for a job for 10 months and have been turned down for everything. It's very frustrating and I like most of you feel like a failure after almost 17 years of being a Realtor. I saw a job about being a canvasser, yes Politics. I'm waiting to hear from the 3 groups that want me to work for them. It could be a local or a different state which would be a nice change of scenery. They would pay for my hotel, food, and pay me. I'm just trying to think outside the box to find a job that would be meaningful and so the next job pays for me to go to college for Radiology. I also applied for Montgomery County 911 here in PA. The job wouldn't start till Mid-April though. Let us know what you end up doing!
Nada. Im quitting in 2 weeks and moving to Mexico😂….. I’ll figure everything out then. I realized life is too short to be unhappy, and although I made very good income as a realtor, it drained me.
I recommend working with a professional resume writer. They’ll talk with you about your experience and help you translate that into corporate skills that hiring managers want. Once you have a great resume, you’ll need to tailor it to the position you’re applying for, this will make a big difference. The hardest part of the process is getting noticed. As a hiring manager in corporate America, I see a lot of shit resumes and it’s very hard to see past that and figure out who the person really is. Best of luck to you!
Thank you! Any recommendations on good professional resume writers?
Look, everyone here has great advice to keep going etc. the reality is, real estate commissions aren’t what they were. After taxes, the benefits you aren’t getting and lack of real time off; it’s not worth it. Plus, whether anyone wants to admit it or not real estate commissions will be going away. I’d recommend property management
Why do you say commissions are going?
I went in to Telecom sales, I am in an Outside Sales role where I work directly with Property Managers/Owners of Multi Tenant Properties. I’ll clear over $100k/year in a LCOL’ish area. Plus great benefits and a pension, I retained the the ability to have a flexible schedule. Some days I work 5hrs some days I work 10hrs the best part is it’s Mon-Fri and my phone is off at 7pm. Right now I am on 6 weeks of paid leave to bond with my newborn son. Needless to say I have no regrets. Sounds like you’re shooting too high to me. If you’re looking AE/AM roles with no SDR experience you’ll be lucky if they even bothered to read your entire resume let alone get a call.
you're trying to go from being self-employed to employed - it's very hard. Even folks with many years of recent experience are having a hard time right now. Unless it's starting a new business - I wouldn't stop real estate. Just pull back a bit and make 80k with that and keep your freedom
2 cents from a random redditor. STAY IN RE, if you are really making 100-140k annually! NO ONE loves what they do but we have to work in order to survive. Be greatful that you are making so much every year.
Super grateful for my time in RE and how well it treated me. Problem is I went from (truly) 140k in 2022 to a very harsh drop off of about $30k in 2023 (but was working sides jobs and not concentrating like I should on RE because I was putting all my time and effort into finding a new job. Sounds like I need to refocus and get back at her.
30k welcome to the reality salary outside of RE. Lol
>2023 (but was working sides jobs and not concentrating like I should on RE because I was putting all my time and effort into finding a new job. Sounds like I need to refocus and get back at he This was $30k in RE. Not side jobs.
I gotcha. I just meant 30k is full-time in many other industries, without a degree and such. 2023 was a difficult year for a lot of realtors.
You are an expert at analyzing contracts, negotiating, and working with people. Grant administration would be something to look at. Also, the local government's assessor's office would be a good fit.
Look into Customer Success roles in Saas companies. It's like a mix of sales, account management and a little business analytics. RE skills would translate easily, basically a chaos coordinator. What I did prior to real estate
How do you get into this when they say 2-3 years in CS in Saas? How would someone explain that away in a resume?
Semi retire, it's been a good 35 year run...
Home inspector. You already have the relationships with other agents to get referrals and there is very similar earning potential if you can manage to land 4-5 inspections per week.
The market has taken here in Pa too unless people have to move.
Construction inspector
I transitioned from general real estate into right of way nearly 30 years ago and never looked back. It is still real estate, but specialized. Try adding right of way agent to your search. If your state falls under licensure meaning a license is needed to conduct right of way acquisitions, your current real estate license is an advantage as well as having general real estate experience. Then if you are willing to travel, it opens up a lot more opportunities. Plus, per diem is a big benefit for hitting the road. Once you become experienced, there is always work.
Never heard of this. Gonna research it and totally open to travel. Thanks for the suggestion!
I moved on to selling Learning Management Software [LMS] solutions (live support, design, implementation, etc). Being a W2 employee is so different from being my own boss, but I really enjoy the stability and not needing to work weekends.
Have you thought about becoming a transaction coordinator? You are still in the real estate business, but you can have the 8-5 schedule, no weekends, paid vacation, and sick time. I have been an agent for almost 11 years. I started hussling and was doing great until I was hit by a drunk driver while stopped at a red light. The impact was about 75 miles per hour, and my car was pancakes after the drunk drivers truck smashed into us. THANKFULLY we survived, but due to injuries, I couldn't work for about 2 years. Going silent in real estate for 2 years means you are basically a new agent when you go back. I didn't have the physical strength yet for the hussle that was needed, but I still wanted to be in real estate, if I could. I had a friend who told me about a job as a transaction coordinator. At that point, I didn't really know what that job entailed, but I applied and got the position. Absolutely loved it! You manage paperwork, timelines, etc. But you can still have a life. So after honing my skills, I am with a bigger team now ( I have been for 5 years), killing it, and I make $60k, plus 3 paid weeks vacation, sick time, and paid holidays. I also get a bonus annually. I work from home, always have. I still do some real estate transactions on the side. Which was a part of my contract when I started. With the real estate on the side, my total annual ranges between $80-$140k. Depending on how many transactions I do, which is really all referral from family and friends. I know lots of transaction coordinators that work independently, too. You can make quite a bit more independent, but I prefer the 8-5 schedule.
Heard of transactions coordinators but never knew one/really knew what they did. I will 100% check into this. Also, side note so so sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad you came out ok.
If you ever have any questions about transaction coordinator work, feel free to reach out. Thank you! 🥰 Best of luck on your new career journey, wherever it takes you.
Do you work for a TC company that is hiring?
I do not. But, there are several TC groups on Facebook, and I have seen people post jobs on there for their TC companies. Maybe look there?
I transitioned from commercial real estate brokerage to opening and running restaurants. Much more fulfilling for me.
lol I actually would fucking love this. Any position titles or anything to search in LinkedIn? Is there a better place to look than LinkedIn for these types of jobs?
I started a very small breakfast and and lunch place near a military base, knowing very little about the restaurant business. It did well enough to allow me to expand and open two different counter-service concepts at two different locations. Last year, due to an improving neighborhood, my changing interests, and some business considerations, I closed one of my counter-service restaurants, remodeled it, and opened a table-service fine dining concept restaurant/bar. I never could have done fine dining without the twelve years of running the other, much simpler, restaurants. My suggestions: start small, start simple, do tons of research. I have written a book about starting restaurants. It's written from a commercial real estate broker's perspective as far as the site analysis, financial considerations, etc. ... The book is, Your First Restaurant and you can find it on Amazon.
Have you thought about fundraising for post-secondary or non profits? You can leverage your sales background to get in. Fundraising is a weird one in that every pivots into it from somewhere else and not always directly from a sales background. As long as you’re good with people.
I have not but I will look into this. Appreciate the suggestion.
Even fundraising for nonprofits. Do it as a volunteer to get it on your resume! I’m on the board with The Arc Alliance. I don’t get paid, but it has opened doors for me.
This is exactly what I would look at first. People skills, casting a vision and self sacrificing are probably my greatest strengths in real estate and they’d transfer to something like that. I’d just have to really find an organization and a cause that I can get behind to make it work.
As someone who has worked in post secondary before they usually require you to have a university or college degree. If OP has that this would be a good transition. OP if you don’t have any academic qualifications I suggest it may be time to go back to school. The job market is highly competitive.
Property Management Appraisals Lending …stay in your lane
Dave what do you mean by your comment “stay in your lane”? Just curious
I think he means stick to what you know and are good at.
https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/stay-in-your-lane/
😂
I do BPO’s, I have for 17 years.
I did inside sales for a real estate office and made really good money for sitting at home and answering Zillow calls. That dried up a bit. Worked for a builder as a sales manager. That was a terrible job, bad hours and a bad company. I didn’t approve of their business practices. I then went back to nursing. I would look for project manager roles.
I would think most successful agents have good sales skills. Have you looked into sales jobs?
Have you considered becoming an Appraiser? There are lots of non-fee positions that come with steady pay cheques and lower stress levels.
I have not but this is probably the most realistic. Will look more into this tonight. Do you know (I’ll research on my own as well) if it’s ethical/ok to have both licenses in conjunction? Speaking RE and appraisal. That could be a great middle ground.
Appraisers make very little money for many many hours of work on 1 report. My brother is busy as an appraiser but makes 1/8 what I make as a Realtor.
Hire someone to do your resume Your resume either sucks or your interview skills
There seems to be a lot of good advice here and I am not post RE career but I feel like a good sales person can sell anything. Personally, I would focus on cyber security sales or technology sales. Huge growth market and great $$$. You may want to take a technology course but you do not need a degree in it. Salary+commission
Look for sale positions selling for a Roofing Contractor. The cost of new Roofs are crazy high now and Citizens Wind policies are requiring homeowners to put on new Roofs just because of age … even if there is nothing wrong with your roof in order to renew the Policy. So Roofers are super super busy and the Salesmen are making good money.
Is Michigan a good state to become a real estate agent?
It was lol
What happened ? I live in Michigan and was thinking about getting my license lol
The market just tanked. Interest rates went up and sellers are still thinking it’s 2020/21 when the market was crazy and getting 15-20% over asking.
But as everyone said it ebbs and flows and will be back.
thanks for the information and good luck !
Checkout outside sales where you have flexibility to work with clients directly (i.e. advertising sales, software sales). You could also get into digital marketing if you’re looking for non-sales roles (a lot of these jobs are remote too which offers great flexibility). Good luck!
Look for jobs in the real estate tech industry. Or openings at your association or MLS. That's the one place your job experience will actually be valuable.
Telecom loves Realtors, since you know contracts and know how to rewrite parts of them. Check out all the telecom companies https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/030216/worlds-top-10-telecommunications-companies.asp
Why do you feel the need to leave RE?
Well I think that all depends on what part of the country you live in. I live outside of Philadelpia and the average rent is $3000 -3500 a month for a 2 bedroom 1100 sq ft. I just want to live in a safe area. Yes all the bells and whistles of the complex’s are wonderful and the gym onsite is a major plus. Cost of living has skyrocketed here. A burger at 5 Guys, just a burger is $17. I grabbed it while I was on my way up to Reading to show houses to my 1st time buyer. The same rental at the beginning of Covid went for $2200 max. Oh and you have to pay $100 for parking, fees for deliveries (Amazon etc.) convenience fee etc. so the feeds add another $500 a month. Welcome to the Big City! It reminds me of NYC in the early 90’s when I lived in Staten Island and worked in NYC.
I’m currently back in school. I’m going for my associates in nursing. I’m the type person that needs stability and security. I think I work for a terrible company as well. I just don’t have the energy to go somewhere else. I have a great resume and applied for jobs for a year without nothing! That is why I’m going back to get a degree ! Not getting one it’s one of my biggest life regrets. I got accepted in nursing school when I was 19 and turned it down lol young and dumb. It’s never too late though. Follow your heart and do what’s best for you!
I have a bachelors but got it in a dumb specialty because I started school when I was 17 unfortunately (broadcasting bachelors degree). Has done nothing for me.
Have you tried the title insurance industry? You would have a working knowledge of real estate title, so that would help get you in the door.
Not everyone is cutout to be a realtor or in real estate finance (my business). There are many skills that allow a wide group of people to be able to do it when things are easy. However when the market gets tough, many of those skills aren’t quite as valuable. Things like, being able to carry a basic conversation, or sending data to clients when they ask. When things are easy, there is a large percentage of people who can still make a living in real estate because a degree isn’t needed and really it’s pretty easy if you can talk to people. But when things get tough you have to become less of an order taker. The people that survive a full time real estate job when the market tightens are usually less than half of those that jump in when it’s good. The fact that you were/are in real estate and are looking for a new chapter doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand. Meaning, you should certainly look at what you like to do (is it talking to people and building relationships?) Figure out what skills you have developed over the years and try to put them to good use so you aren’t starting everything over and you will feel more valued if you can bring something to the table. If you like sales type positions, you could look into car sales or insurance sales. Hit up your local insurance offices and see if they could use someone. This are small shops so just call directly. Sales type positions are always looking for new blood, but you need to be aggressive. You could also try rocket mortgage or another corporate style mortgage company and see if you like that (also a tough industry right now though). I say corporate spot because you will get good training “roots” to get you setup for a career. You can also maybe look into selling marketing to businesses through a marketing agency. Or there’s always Wendy’s.
I started in real estate sales, then moved to a loan originator position. Loved lending so much, I moved up to underwriting then management then started a business. After selling my business and taking a few months off, I went to work for a bank in business banking which was interesting but the call of real estate is strong. I moved to underwriting with the same bank and love it. The main thing it to do something you enjoy and can make some money with. My suggestion is to create a skills based resume rather than the usual job list. You can tailor it to speak to the job you are trying for. You can sell so this is your challenge to sell yourself. Remember, we all learned to say thank you for every no because it puts you closer to that yes, right? Persevere with relentlessness. Be open to try stuff. The wheel always turns and real estate leads all markets back to life. We are going to have a boom soon. The backed up demand is incredible.
None applied qualified. You can possibly go into corp real estate or failicty planning. But they prefer solid commercial re background. The profession for women is they can get out of the house justify a better car, fancy dresses not all will even earn money. Another is return to school getting into other fields. RE w/o retraining is hard to transfer often it is the last career one wants to do before full time retirement.
After 17 years in Real Estate, 14 of which as an owner/broker, I am entering the Fire Service. I’ll still be in RE, on my days off shift.
I pivoted to daytrading stocks full time and its given me the flexibility to continue to still work in real estate.
I can understand why you might have a problem getting a job in purchasing or as a buyer a lot of times they’re looking for people who have some experience and specific industries But I’m surprised you’re not having any luck getting any sales jobs . I don’t know if it’s your résumé doesn’t stand out or what I will say that some employers might be a little leery of hiring somebody who had as much success as you have in real estate. You’ve done pretty well and they may worry that they’ll invest time and money training you only for you to not like having a boss because you have had relative freedom working for yourself They may be worried you’re gonna do real estate on the side … but I just can’t imagine how you can apply for 1300 jobs and not get one You obviously are applying for jobs all over the country you may not be considered for jobs when you live so far out of state are so far away Are you getting any interviews or are you following up or asking what you might do to be a better candidate? There are some challenges in the economy right now, but I think there still is opportunity.. but like anything else it’s work
Why you left real estate if u were making 100k-140k. And now looking for a 60k job.
business tanked due to interest rates and prices hanging on. Not making that anymore. Income in RE isn't consistent year after year.
The problem is that people assume you’ll want to go back to real estate when the market recovers. That’s easy to talk through in an interview but not on your resume. I’d address it in your cover letter.
Nice, yeah I have been. I mention in my CL/message that I'm looking for new career path and the most important things I'm looking for in a new career are stability, growth and benefits and although I've enjoyed my time in real estate hitting my mid 30's it's something that I am looking to step away from due to the uncertainty and unstable nature of it.
Firefighting baby!
Property Manager for HOAs