Any one here a real estate agent?

I've decided to get my broker license and I'm taking classes nightly. My final exam will be at the end of June. After that, I will take the NC exam and hopefully get a license about 3 weeks later (I've already requested my background check to save some time).

Since my current job ends early next year (I manage the HR/compliance/contracts/admin for a construction jobsite) and the nearest jobs with my company are too far away, not to mention that jobs for which I'm qualified in this area of SE NC are scarce to nil, I thought that I could use my people skills, passion for architecture and design, and helping people by being a real estate agent.

Just needing some suggestions on how to make the most of it, what kind of agency I should look for (my school is affiliated with Century 21 and they are very visible in this area, so I would like to interview with them), any other tips... I will have to hold on to my job, as going from an income to 100% commission overnight will not be possible.

Otherwise, this area's real estate market is interesting. At the lower and the very upper ranges, there is quite a lot of buying activity. The problem is in the middle, which is where most inventory is. This being a prime beach area, there is a lot of vacation home/second home/investment home purchasing going on and, believe it or not, a lot of upper-end (above the $1 million mark) oceanfront or private gated community housing is being sold.

But my interests would also lie with the people coming in from all over the world to live in this area thanks to large corporations such as Corning and GE, which are expanding here, and various pharmaceutical research companies, not to mention the local university, UNC-W.

I speak Spanish decently and I'm a native Italian speaker. Also looking for tips into whether I should seek specialized designations (and if so, which ones) and/or if I should join the infamous National Association of REALTORs(R)...

a long time ago :)

Best advice I can give, is that when you do find a broker that you want to work for, find someone there who has a lot of experience and is nice and see if they will help "mentor" you. Not in a way that would be a burden to them, just someone you can ask the questions from your OP and that can help you get started and give you some good advice on how to survive in real estate in your area.

Good Luck! Real Estate market can only grow from here, so if you can make it the first couple of years (which are the toughest) then you should be in prime position as the market keeps recovering.

I will be able to learn the ropes well and not in a hurry from someone who will mentor me properly. That way, I will be able to tackle a more active market with confidence and know-how.

I've had very positive experiences with real estate agents in my personal life. My husband has had a couple of negative ones. We've been comparing notes on what we liked and didn't like. I want to be the kind of agent that people feel will be the most advantageous to their interests - whether as sellers or buyers - without BS. At the same time, I also like to inject a dose of reality... If your budget is $40,000 and you're seeking 3 bedrooms and granite countertops in the kitchen, then perhaps you need to be 'readjusted.'

...or stainless steel appliances. I'm looking for a place that does not have those amenities, and they are hard to find! I hate granite counter tops. Seems like every little apartment and modest remodel has gone that way, and hiked up the price accordingly. I'd rather have formica and white appliances.

and I only have the fridge that is stainless. I've got to say that it's impossible to keep it fingerprint-less or clean. The other appliances are black and are easier to keep clean.

Granite countertops are aesthetically pleasing, but way too expensive. I am starting to appreciate more and more solid concrete countertops... Those are awesome, but have to be custom made.

And I like stainless steel counters that have the look of a commercial kitchen.

I don't understand the slavish desire for granite, even in very modest dwelling remodelings. I blame it on those shows on HGTV.

I even like tiled countertops. If you pick a modern and stylish tile (I've seen a few examples of glass tile in square shapes already attached to the netting at Lowe's/Home Depot) it looks very very nice. The labor is not that bad either. You can use that new stuff, Bondamat or something like it, that bonds the tile and countertop in pre-fab strips. All you do is grout.

I think a lot of people are under the wrong assumption that it takes thousands of dollars to renovate a living space, when instead half the time you just need much less money and little imagination.