Am I Too Old to Become a Real Estate Agent?

Ready for a change?

You wake up groggily to the sound of your alarm thinking, “is it Friday yet?” even though you know it’s Tuesday. As you stretch, your body stiff from sleep and mentally prepare to face the day, much like a psychic, you know what the future holds. A mug or 3 of coffee, a shower, get dressed in your best business casual outfit (or whatever you happen to pull off the hanger), drive the 30-minute commute to the office, and once you arrive you know exactly what you’ll be doing, sitting at a desk for hours on end. This is the same routine you’ve perfected over the past 20+ years. As you reflect on your life choices you wonder, “is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?” Many can easily answer this question with a no, but perhaps with hesitation. You’ve spent years in your field becoming a subject matter expert; you could do this job with your eyes closed. Isn’t it too late to start your career over again? If you did change careers, what could offer you the mental stimulation and gratification you’re searching for?

Real Estate as a Business Opportunity

The real estate business may be the answer to your dilemma. A career in real estate could mean major changes to your idea of the workday. But don't just take my word for it, according to the National Association of Realtors, this career provides flexibility and freedom to set your own pace and choose how much you want to work. With this career you have the potential for high earnings, autonomy, the opportunity to help people and much more. As a result of the work you do, you are offered intellectual challenges and given satisfaction as you help others create a new chapter in their life story, a stark contrast from the common desk job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are predicted to be 47,500 openings for real estate brokers and sales agents each year over the next decade. As a real estate agent, you can look forward to a career in a field that is continuing to grow. No one wants to jump on a sinking ship, and the real estate ship is continuing to sail steadily. Could this be the right choice for you?

You determine your success, not your age.

You may be thinking “all this sounds great, but it’s too late in life for me to switch careers!” You might be surprised to learn that there are those who seek out professionals that are 40+ years of age and they don’t mind that you have no previous experience in the field. “Career changers” offer something magnificent to the workforce that cannot be bought and takes many years to hone. “Life experience” is an invaluable skill that only people who have been in the work force for an extended amount of time can truly possess. Yes, you might not be as tech savvy or as quick on your feet as younger people entering the field, however you have had enough experience to learn how to deal with complicated issues that may arise as you help people reach their home buying dreams. If you’d like another perspective from people who have joined the industry later in life, click here to read an article based on firsthand accounts.

You may have noticed a development of more of an even-keeled attitude as the years have passed. If you think back to your teenage years or your 20s you may recall that you were much quicker to challenge others’ opinion and voice your own. While this isn’t necessarily a bad attribute, it is more beneficial in the real estate world to be able to handle customers with care and compassion. You need to be able to work with others in your field to accomplish goals that you and others have set. Time has taught you that if you approach things in a certain manner, even the most difficult storms can be navigated with the right attitude!

You may also offer personal experience to those you are working with. You may not have bought and sold property for years, however it is possible you have personal experience going through the home buying and selling process. Having someone who knows what it’s like from a personal and professional standpoint can be an invaluable tool as you attempt to purchase or sale a home. Home buying is often one of the biggest purchases of your life, so you need comfort until you have those keys in your hand (and sometimes after!).

Keep learning & stay positive.

Starting over may sound like a daunting task, but you have to consider how your current employment situation is affecting you mentally and physically. You’re never too old for a new beginning! You’ll find that the real estate world is full of people who are willing to help you reach your goals. We also have plenty of resources that are geared toward helping you get started. Click here to read our blog that outlines how to network with other real estate agents. As people often say, it's not what you know, it's who you know. This often applies to real estate. Lucky for you, when you've been around the sun a couple more times you often know more people. More people that could need help selling or buying a home or more people with experience in the industry that they could share with you. Some agents would even argue that coming into real estate as an older person versus as a younger person is easier. Why? Because people in your age range are more likely to be downsizing or retiring or moving. People who are 18 years old are a lot less likely to be ready to partake in a real estate transaction. Just like everything else, your fate is determined by you not your age or other circumstances. As long as you take yourself seriously and show up everyday you'll be able to be successful in any field.

If you read this and thought "wow, I feel like this article was written just for me," contact us! Because if you think real estate is the right career path for you, at this stage in life, when you arguably know yourself the best, then it probably is!

Another  great place to start is to check out our FAQ page to learn more about our different state courses and where to begin. It’s time to take charge of your happiness and promote your well-being as you move on to the next chapter of your life. 

Meet Hannah McArdle. Hannah has a background in child development, elementary education, and instructional design. She attended Eastern Kentucky University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She went on to work with children in a variety of capacities as she pursued her Master of Education in Learning and Technology. After receiving the opportunity to teach 1st grade, Hannah relocated to the east coast of Virginia. While there, she began to yearn for the hills of her former home, Kentucky. She packed her bags once again, this time finding her home at PREC. She is excited for her new journey and hopes to become a Real Estate guru as she earns her Kentucky Real Estate License.