Q:I’m planning on getting my real estate agents license in the next few months in California. I’ve heard that Century 21 and some other companies have their own courses. Is it better to attend their course or just a regular local real estate school. Also what companies are good for new agents.Any advice you can give is appreciated! Thanks!

If you can get Century 21 to give you the necessary courses to pass the state exam without paying a school. They have to teach you the classes that the Real Estate Board requires. Are you sure the classes at Century 21 are not the two classes you need after you get a conditional sales license? I went through the whole process of taking the right classes at Anthony Schools live, then took the state exam and passed. But I went to a few real estate companies and could not get hired because at the time in 2001 I did not have a computer or a car and I did not know how to generate my own leads. I thought they would provide leads but they didnt. I went to Prudential, Pacific Union and Howard Allen. These are in the bay ara.

Q:I want to purse a major in Public Relations with possibly a minor in marketing. I want to work mostly in media and entertainment field but I was wondering if I could turn a degree in Public Relations into working in real estate?If so, how does it relate? Is it common for people with pr degrees to work in real estate? Do it affect the salaries?

Some realty agents hire PR people to get their names in the newspaper. Since real estate marketing is very similar to PR, you might have a great career in real estate. You are hired to put houses up for sale and your job is to attract buyers to the house.

Q:I know nothing about real estate taxes. My husband and I are interested in "flipping" a house. We are trying to figure out if it's worth it after capital gains tax. For example; how much in taxes would we pay if we purchased a house for $100k and sold it for $130k. We make about 100 grand a year combined from our jobs. Thank you

I would need to write a book. Spend the next six months educating yourselves and then think about this plan again.

Q:I am interested in Real Estate , Criminology, Psychology, and Social Work ! Which in your opinon is a better career to get into !How would I go about getting a liscense for real estate, and how long would it take? What is the career like?I am also interested in Social Work/ Psychology I am interested in getting my Bachelors and my masters to work in a school with kids (NOT CHILD AND YOUTH WORKER I DO NOT WANT TO BE LIMITED) or I may want to work in a court room. Down the line I would like to do private practises. Would I be able to take criminology for my bachelors and social work or psychology for my masters?Would I be able to take a real estate course while doing one of the others?Please HELP!

Those are both lucrative and prestigious careers, so it depends on your aptitude and interest which is the better line of work you want to pursue. To get a real estate license involves in-depth study, and then you have to take and pass the exam in the state where you plan to work. Some states are reciprocal, which means your license may be valid in other states besides the one you're planning to work in. Let me warn you, however, that the test is not easy, and many people fail to pass it on the first try. However, you can repeat it as many times as you wish. With regard to the other careers, you'd have to check with the universities offering the courses to find out the requirements and what courses you need to take. I would not recommend taking too many classes at one time. The real estate course in itself requires intense study. You are to be admired for your ambition, but don't bog yourself down with too much, as it will defeat your purpose. Settle on one thing at a time, and you'll have better luck.

Q:can you withdrawl a real estate contract prior to closing in North Carolina without penalty?

Hi. Are you working with a Realtor? If you are, then you should let your Realtor know that you need to withdraw. Have you signed off on the home inspection yet? If you haven't, then you have your out without penalty. (Of course, you need to find something wrong!) If you have signed off on the home inspection, have you gone thru the appraisal from the bank yet? In some cases, if a home appraises for less than purchase price, and even with a 20 percent down payment, banks will not finance an over-priced home. Truly, your best bet is to let your Realtor know that you need to withdraw and see if your Realtor can help. If not, pay an attorney who specializes in real estate law, his/her hourly rate, and have the attorney go over the contract and advise you as to how to proceed. Good Luck!

Q:I recently heard a presentation at my brokers office where the representative claimed that Real Estate agents were second only to physicians when it came to malpractice lawsuits. This was supposed to be nation wide, and 48% of those lawsuits were supposed to have taken place in California. I should have asked for her source, but didn't think of it until afterward. I have never been involved in a lawsuit, and find it difficult to believe we are second to Doctors for lawsuits!Can anyone verify this information for me? Thanks!

It's possible. Of course, it doesn't say how many of those were successful lawsuits. The #1 reason realtors get sued is for misrepresentation. As a matter of fact, I actually sued a realtor who neglected to mention that the house across the street was adding another story, thus blocking my view (and decreasing my property value). But you know, I found it on Google, maybe you could, too.

Q:I've recently been recruited by a real estate agent suggesting I get into the business. I work in a shoe store and when I helped her she told me that my customer service and people skills would make me a great fit for real estate. It's something I've considered before so now I'm really looking into it. Basically I would just like to know everything I can about the business before I make the decision to take this career path and begin the schooling. What are the advantages and disadvantages? What is the job itself like? What's it like working on commission? What are some common mistakes people make that I would want to avoid? Really any information or advice you can throw my way would be greatly appreciated. If I'm going to do this I need to commit and be smart about the way I go about it. Thank you in advance.P.S I live in California. In case that would be helpful to know.

Become a referral agent. This is the best bet all around. As a regular real estate agent, you have to work under a broker in an office and pay all kinds of fees monthly. The other agents are cut throat. Working full time is the only option for attempting this type of agent and you may make very little money. As a referral agent, you simply hook up buyers and sellers with agents. It's very easy to do and the license is good in the entire U.S. so if you move you can use the license anywhere. Just as an example, I was in a real estate office for one year as a regular agent and not only didn't make money but lost money due to fees. As a referral agent for over 13 years, I made money every single year. The license fees are much less as well for a referral agent.

Q:I am looking to buy a house or proprty to build a house within the next couple of years. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to take some classes at the local community college in real estate so that I might be able to get info on how to identify good deals/save $/learn the lingo so that I won't be putting myself in a position to get ripped off when I decide to buy.Would that do any good or would that be a potential waste of time, and I should not bother?

I currently work for a release tracking company, which is the backside of real estate law. YES! Take any class you can, and look on-line for seminars. You will be amazed of how many people screwed every day because they have no idea how the real estate world works! Some associations may give free seminars, and some banks! Do a lot researching! Everyone is out to make a buck! Protect yourself and learn as much as you can! I am glad my company maintains honesty still! There also grants that you my be eligible for from your town and state if you meet certain qualifications! Check those out. My friend bought her first home, and got $30,000.00 in grant money from her town and a bank! You really should learn about title insurance, 1st 2nd mortgages, and learn about your state laws! All real estate laws differ from state to state! you also want to make sure you protect your self, and that all of the requirements are met from the seller!

Q:I am a college student and am interested in learning about real estate, but I have no clue how to start. I bought a book, but I think it's the next step, I need something to fill the gap. - Can anyone direct me to a website with a beginners guide?- If someone could write maybe a paragraph or two as an introduction that would be great.- If I wanted to get started in real estate out of college, how would you recommend I start?

You didnt say what aspect of real estate. We dont know if you mean investing in real estate or selling real estate like a realtor.

Q:I am really interested in real estate and want a job that has to do with real estate. I was wondering if anyone would share what their job was if it is within real estate. Also wondering if the pay is good within real estate. Thanks!

Go to some of your local, high producing, real estate agents or offices and put in a resume. Explain that you're interested in getting your foot in the door and you plan on possibly getting your license. You can work for one agent as an assistant with their listings and escrows. Or, you can work for numerous different ages assisting on their listings. Or, you could work for a local office and be a receptionist or processor. The pay is decent. The main thing is if you're planning on getting your license, the potential to make a lot of money is there. Go for it! You'll either love it, or hate it!