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Rainer
23,866
Michael Crawford
Golden Eagle Properties - Temecula, CA

In my opinion probably not unless you have a chunk of money saved up ahead of time. It takes awhile to get established in the real estate business. I would estimate at least 6 months.

Nov 19, 2014 03:59 AM
Rainmaker
864,658
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

It depends on the age of your kids. If they are small, I would wait.

Real estate business takes a lot of time and effort. I hate to see your time taken away from the special precious moments when your kids are small.

Nov 20, 2014 09:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,446,642
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Being a Real Estate agent is not cheap and unless you have an alternate source of income it could be scary.

Nov 20, 2014 06:49 AM
Rainer
1,993
Brian, Jane and Eric Squires
Century 21 Beachside - Mission Viejo, CA

You will need at least a year's worth of salary in the bank (I'm not kidding on this one).  Expect to spend money before you get paid. (If you get paid... deals fall through all the time.)  Your cash flow will be unpredictable.  Don't get sucked into paying for leads because you and a hundred other agents are paying for the same lead.  Don't plan on having a life on weekends... that's when your clients will be the most active. (What will you do with the kids?)

 

If it still sounds like the thing to do then go for it!

Brian

Nov 19, 2014 03:54 AM
Rainer
18,431
Scott Parman
Parkville, MO

I can't answer a "mom" question, but change the question a bit and ask yourself this:  "Is sales a good career for me?"  

Don't forget that real estate is sales.  If you've never sold professionally, it can be a scary, daunting thing to learn.  You may not like the idea of cold-calling or asking someone for business.  Or, it may fit your personality perfectly.  Find a local agent you trust that you can take out for coffee or better yet, someone who will let you watch a portion of their daily calls. 

Nov 19, 2014 03:34 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I became a single mom while selling real estate and at first it was very scary. But then I realized it was the best of all worlds because I could plan my schedule around my kids, take my kids with me when doing my real estate errands and reward the kids when I had a real estate closing. It made it a family affair. You do need very reliable sitters and child care arranged and need to work a regular schedule or you are just fooling yourself that you have a job.

Nov 19, 2014 03:00 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Sure it is but keep in mind that the savvy consumer may see that some of your energy has to go elsewhere and perhaps not like that. Some people want full attention when it comes to the large amounts of commissions that change hands...Use to be that employers would ask if women had children because they know kids come first and the work place would suffer. The subject remains controversial to this day

Nov 19, 2014 08:08 AM
Rainer
4,301
Jo Sciarroni
Welcome Home Residential Brokerage, Inc. - Clayton, CA

Hi there,

Only you know how much time your children need from you and how organized you are, however, I was a single Mom with three kids and needed to have a job that I could work around their schedules.  Real Estate was a perfect choice for me.  My kids were 4,6 & 7.  My motto over the years has always been "When you have more time than you have money.....use your time and then When you have more money than time use your money!"  My kids were an asset to me I included them in stamping mailers, going with me to door knock and spreading the word amoungst their friend's parents that I was in the Business.  Since my kids were so active in school and sports it gave me the opportunity to also be involved and meet lots of potential clients.  After all these years....all of my children have Real Estate Licenses and have utilitized them in different ways in their careers.  Life is good and this is a great Business to be in.   Good Luck and Best Wishes on making your decision!!

Nov 19, 2014 05:54 AM
Rainer
83,407
Tom & Lisa Slaughter
Century 21 Coast to Coast, Clearwater Beach, FL - Clearwater Beach, FL

Mom here.

I think that one point you made is that you "became" a single Mom while selling real estate. Therefore, you were already in the know of what's required and what you can handle.

I had sold real estate for 6 years in another country (Canada), moved to Florida, and on the day I passed my RE exam here, I also got pregnant. (Quite the celebration...lol). I knew I couldn't start in a new market, without a PSI, without referrals, and a newborn.

When she was 5 and attending kindergarten, I moved back into real estate with the loving help of her stepdad...also a Realtor. It's the regular hours that the children keep that can make the difference.

Just my humble opinion.

Lisa

Nov 19, 2014 04:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,572,727
David Saks
Memphis, TN
Broker / Industry Analyst

Probably.

Nov 21, 2014 11:35 PM
Rainmaker
519,139
Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

simple answer is NO.  Get a Federal Government job.  In 20 years, you will be glad you did.  With a fed job, there are often programs to help you with child rearing.

Nov 20, 2014 12:02 AM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

If you have passion, it is.

Apr 09, 2018 11:35 PM
Ambassador
6,392,889
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Depends on the mom and what systems she has set up for herself and her business.

Nov 19, 2017 11:35 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

In fact this can be a real good career for a single mom.

Sep 03, 2017 04:58 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Why not?

Mar 13, 2017 11:13 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

it could be

Oct 02, 2016 10:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'm a single mom too. When I started, my kids were little. It was very challenging. I hope, you have someone to help you with kids.

The best probably for you would be to join a team, so your partners can back you up when you are not available or simple don't know what to do.

Good luck:)

Dec 27, 2014 05:31 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

In my market I wouldn't recommend it. It's tough right now and there are a lot of expenses to be thought of. 

Nov 25, 2014 12:38 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

In reading the answers, here, I'm guessing that there's no right answer.  I think a lot will depend on you and how you plan to work and make your family time.

Nov 23, 2014 09:03 AM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Real Estate is a great career for a single mom.  You can work your own hours and work quite a bit from home.

Nov 22, 2014 11:52 AM