WAHM Forums

Hi all
I am looking at the possibility of become an agent, I have wanted to do this for years. However I wanted to wait till my girls got a little older. Well they are headed in that direction. So my question is how many hours a week are you required, outside your home, to work. I know it depends on how much you want to earn and get back but I mean like in office hours. Do you really consider yourself working from home?

I can't say for certain, because I am only a RE student as of right now, but from what I know, it depends on what brokerage firm or company you join. Some brokers will accept part-timers and some won't, some require you to have office time (and it is also good to have because of walk-ins that come in looking for properties to buy or sell, could be your next client), and some don't require you to be in the office unless you want to. I have a friend that has been a real estate agent for over 7 years now and she is with a company where she does almost all the paper work and such at her home. She is out of her home when she is of course showing homes. Many of times she is at her home showing her clients houses online and thenpicking from the homes they will go see. I am sure if she doesn't feel safe or comfortable, she would do this sort of thing at the office. My old real estate agent would come to our home to do the paperwork. The only time I remember going to the office, is when we needed to sign papers for the closing.

It really depends on the broker you're hanging your license with. When I was an RE Agent, I went into the office for phone duty and some desk work, but was usually on the road showing homes or meeting with clients. Paperwork and things online can be done at home. I decided to put my license in escrow, I just didn't like having buyers waste my time like they tried to do. They want you to show them homes only when it's convenient for them.

I did make decent money, but I make much better money now and it's consistent, plus I work from home exclusively. I didn't like the way things could change on a dime in the RE field....closings don't always happen when you think they will because of last minute snafus,etc. Anyway, I wish you the best in your decision.

If you like to socialize, working as a real estate agent may not feel like real "work" to you. Much of the career involves meeting people, chatting, and building relationships. Also, real estate is not a 9-5 job. You'll have the flexibility to set a work schedule that works for you.