I held a real estate license for over 7 years. However, last December I let it lapse. Over all the years I held my license I closed no transactions…as an agent. For that time I worked on a team that sold bank and government owned homes. That was my focus. So I didn’t work with clients…exactly. I worked with asset managers, on behalf of the institution that owned the house in our portfolio. I needed my license, but I never needed to go out and generate leads and such that’s part of being a real estate agent. Buy I know about the local market, how to price a home, how to market it, and I know the contract process better than most agents. So, though I haven’t a single transaction officially tied though, I’ve closed hundreds.

Now, I’m trying to figure out what to do next. I’m nearing the end of my grace period with the state of Washington. As of right now, I just need to take a few hours of online course work and then pay the renewal fee. After December, I’ll need to retake my real estate course work from scratch to renew.  A significant up-tick in cost and time. And, I’m not sure the pay-off. I don’t want to invest either cost without a plan for some kind of return.

So, currently, I manage the construction process from getting a contract signed around to having permits in hand. I believe that my understanding of the construction process coupled with my understanding of bank and government owner homes gives me a unique skill set in the real estate world. New construction, custom homes as well as real estate flipping and investing are things I understand well.

Not sure I want to become a mogul. But I think I could make a positive impact on the world. Do I need my real estate license to make that impact? Is it enough to make the investment worthwhile? Would I make back the investment in money, time and energy? I’m just not sure. What do you think? I’d love to hear your insights and recommendations.