I always encourage them to get licensed and I direct them to OTHER REAL ESTATE OFFICES....the more extra baggage the other offices have, the lighter our load and more smoothly WE operate..... that's the Armenian way of thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh boy. That's a loaded question for me. I tell people outright that getting a real estate license doesn't mean you are going to start making money right way and even later. I'm pretty clear about how much work is involved. I have a very detailed discussion with those thinking they may want to work i the real estate industry. Some of them are truely cut out for it. Most aren't. 

I hear this often... I have a serious discussion over coffee about what it takes to make it in this business and what the failure rate is. 

I congratulate them and then ask from which university will they get their Masters in Business prior to getting licensed?  If they know nothing about running a successful business, I suggest they rethink their future. 

I then ask them how they'd feel knowing each and every day will be dealing with people and the emotions that come with the 4 Big D's: 

Death
Divorce 
Debt
Downsizing
  
That usually helps them understand it is not all pretty houses and happy people with our rainbows and unicorns!

Fred,

It really depends if they willing to listen to what we have to say.  If they are, I would do what Nina Hollander suggested, and if not I would do what Barbara Todaro suggested.  I am still laughing over that.  A

Reality check time! The whole commission is not yours and getting to collect one is even harder!

There is no part time in real estate, if you cant be available when your client needs, chances are you are not going to make it in real estate

I let them buy me coffee and have a discussion about what it's REALLY all about.... 

Join a TEAM for 24/7 coverage of your business while you are DUAL Careering  !

I have to say I do what Nina Hollander does..try and portray an accurate picture of the business so they know going in proper expectations!

ROFL Barbara Todaro 's answer!

I say don't do it. Just talked someone out of being a loan officer a few weeks ago. They didn't have a clue how competative it was.

I agree with what Nina Hollander said.  Beyond that, you might ask them if they would want to buy or sell a house from a "part-timer"... someone who isn't fully knowledgeable of inventory, market conditions, and contractual issues... someone who may or may not be available when they need them.

I tell everyone, if you want to be successful do it full time, otherwise it's a hobby

Fred - I would wish them well and leave it at that... unless they ask me for advice, or my opinion on things.

If you do not love Real Estate and hard work, forget it.

Wayne is a full time agent while I have a full time job (I'm a teacher) outside of real estate and am really only window dressing most of the time.

Having said that, I have learned in these last several years that real estate is a fine part time job - it serves me well part time in the summer months - but it's a nearly impossible second job - I am good for very little from September through June.

Fred Griffin - first things first - a congratulations.

Second - ask them to go through many posts here on ActiveRain Newbie contest.

Third - explain that "this job has different kind of demands - and hope that's okay with you..."

Tell them to go to a trades school and learn a trade.

I tell them "how it is".  The requirements to get started, cost outlays and that it takes at least six months (on average) to close your first deal.  Until then, you won't have any money coming in so your reserves (or your spouse's paycheck) better be strong!

When it has happened I have spent a few minutes sharing my thoughts on the reality of the business, and asking some questions about whhy they are interested in making this change. But I might consider Barbara Todaro 's method in the future.

I tell them it is very hard to make it in this business if you cannot work full time and live without a commission check for about six months or more.

I am glad to share the good, bad and the ugly of the business so they can make an educated decision.

I will let them know that they will need to spend time and money in the business before any potential returns.

My initial response is usually the same that many "try real estate", but in reality that real estate "tries them" and last statistic I heard was 80% are out of the business within 2 years. Not to discourage them but to be real.

Good choice.   I then explain to them how if it doesn't work out, but of course - I hope it does -- they can hang their license with a broker and receive referral fees.   

I simply tell people that real estate must have both feet in the water or you will get in trouble.

Fred Griffin I would say go for it! A lot of people start off in this business part time until they can get established and transition to full time.

I explain the investment process- of time and money, and that it's about running a business and developing relationships. The phone doesn't ring because you've put out a shingle.

In my opinion real estate can't be part-time.  All in!

I would tell them some of my experiences, good and bad and let them decide. 

A license can feed someones false sense of security. Go deeper for answers

I started out part time in the real estate business.  I made a committment that after I sold X number of homes I would quit my full time job.  Some of the best full time agents started off part time.  I would ask the question, what number of homes is your goal to when you quit your full time job?  I went on to sell 56 homes my first full year into the real estate business.  So just telling someone no, shouldn't always be your first answer.

I test whether they are serious or just blowing smoke.

They are directed to obtain a copy of "Get On The Right Track - Breaking the Failure System" a book for those 'thinking about real estate.

If they are unwilling to invest in their future decision, they are unlikely to heed any  advise I may offer. Such folks are trolling for social approval to do what they have already decided to do. Sometimes you just need to let the train wreck.

$12,000 later they will blame themselves and become one data-point in the failure statistics. And for $12,000 they become aware that what they see on HGTV may not be reality.

Of course I encourage them to read Sage of the New Agent just so they hear the story in another voice.

I say "great"...you do know that I am not hiring, right?

I don't want anyone to think that they know a broker that wants them...I want no one else working for me.

Eve

I give them tips on how I  started.

It depends on the situation. Even though we have a major surplus of real estate agents, there are wonderful career opportunities for those who can meet the challenges.

I don't offer advice unless requested. If requested the first thing I mention is this career is very demanding, not the easy ride many assume it to be.

I do not, unless they really want to know my opinion or advice. 

My first thought is that you cannot be a realtor part-time - you need to commit to this as a career, because it is your business - whether you are retired or working another job Fred Griffin!  You need to save up enough cashflow to cover your expenses/bills while you are 'building' your business and clients.  Everyone that you know will not have the need for a home, condo, or townhome immediately, so even if you have alot of family/friends in the area, it could take a long time for them to become your clients.  So you will find new clients who have an immediate need!  You have to have the reality of knowing that you will be working weekends, evenings, possibly holidays if you so choose, and be able to commit to clients, either a Buyer or a Seller, if you so choose.  You have to respond quickly to messages, either calls, texts, or e-mails.  You have to be detail-oriented.  Like many other career fields, you have to like people in general, and be willing to do more than is expected, as well as what is required.  It can certainly be a fun adventure, and I would have someone seriously think about it, because you need to be a professional! 

I ask them why they think they want to go into real estate and why they think they would be good at it. Then I listen to their answers and go from there.

Explain the cost of maintaining a licence.