I recently met a person that asked if it was a good time to become a realtor, and if there was any money to be made doing it. So, I've written up what my response was to her.  I've been in real estate since 1992. Generally speaking, the market has slowed some across the United States - but, appears to have started breaking free a little. ... http://www.squidoo.com/louisville-real-estate-agent Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:43:46 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:41:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/louisville-real-estate-agent I recently met a person that asked if it was a good time to become a realtor, and if there was any money to be made doing it. So, I've written up what my response was to her.  I've been in real estate since 1992. Generally speaking, the market has slowed some across the United States - but, appears to have started breaking free a little. Of course there is money to be made in this business - but competition can be particularly fierce if you are just shooting for the generic "I want real estate business" type of advertising. My recommendation - find something you are passionate about - a sport? a hobby? a skill? a talent? etc, etc, etc, etc.  It can be anything from golf to model trains. From dogs to hot rod cars. From opera singing to sky diving.  It really doesn't matter what it is - as long as YOU have an interest in it, and have some knowledge that you would be able to contribute to others on the topic. (And the upside is, it becomes less like work - because you are dealing with something that you are interested in, in the first place.) Then figure out HOW to get in contact with those persons that share that common interest with you - trade shows? events/clinics? magazines? clubs/associations? etc. Find your passion - and what interests you, because you are going to be dealing with the 2 subjects all the time. Your business/work week will be real estate, and your "free time" will be that hobby/activity. Using me as an example, I've focused my efforts on horses. I own a horse farm, own 2 horses, and board a couple others. I LITERALLY live in a barn (well, its a barn/house - upstairs is living quarters, downstairs is stalls/feed room/wash room, etc). Here's a photo of it. So, for me, I've focused my efforts on promoting real estate business through horses and horse farms by providing information for persons that like horses. The first is Kentucky Horse Farms For Sale - this site allows persons to look for horse farms, and equestrian real estate. I've also created a forum at Horse Farms in KY Forum where persons that want to talk about training, upcoming Events/Clinics, and of course, real estate. I've also created my personal horse farm blog at Horse Farms in Kentucky where persons can read about my own personal adventures being a horse farm owner. Sorry, for being so long winded - but, as you can see, horses are my passion. If you want to get into the real estate business - FIND what interests you. Then find how to get into contact with those persons. This next comment is of utmost importance: Make sure you have a certain degree of expertise in whatever area you are going to focus - because your clients will be looking to you for guidance. Using me as an example, a realtor that knows how to sell a house may not know what types of grasses are appropriate for horses, how many acres you need per horse to have them pasture boarded, or what type of fencing is appropriate for horses, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. I EAT, BREATHE, and LIVE for horses. So, when a normal real estate agent goes in against me for horse properties, I completely bury them with my expertise and knowledge. They simply can't compete against someone that spends 15 hours a day dealing with the topic. BE THE EXPERT - so you can provide a service for your clients that SHARE YOUR INTEREST in whatever hobby/sport, organization, talent, activity, etc that you have in common. Good luck. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:41:23 -0600