“In order to make a change to real estate, something has to be happening in your life. I just decided that the car business was too many hours and I was driving 50 minutes to work and I wanted something different.”

– Jason Mickelson 

“I got into real estate because I was looking for a career that would reward me for the work that I put into the job. I think another reason I got into the business was for the flexible hours and the ability to create your own schedule.”

– Megan Mitchum

“[I wanted to] be in a field where I could still make a difference in people’s lives. So helping people buy or sell real estate, to me, is a pretty good idea. I also wanted to do something where I could own my own business as well.” 

– Ethan Hokel

“Before I got into real estate, I talked to a few people- friends, family, some relatives that were agents elsewhere.”

– Mike Crabb

“I consulted with my aunt, who is also an agent in a different state. I consulted with someone I used to work with in the food sales industry and I also reached out to an agent I didn’t really know- but someone else I knew knew them pretty well.”

– Renee Dunkel

“I did a lot of online research, had a lot of conversations with my husband and parents and then, once I had decided it was something I was pretty seriously considering, that’s when I sat down with a few brokers in town just to learn more about what they expect from new agents.”

– Jessica Gilligan

“Pros and cons of getting into real estate: Obviously the pros are the ability to set your own hours and be your own boss. There’s really no limit on your potential- you can be successful as you’re willing to put in the work for.”

– Mike Crabb

“I thought that I would have a more flexible schedule- which I do. But I think what it came down to is: being my own boss.”

– Renee Dunkel

“Kind of create my own schedule- obviously you have to work around clients. And another pro was just to be able to help others and make an impact in their lives. This industry does come with a good amount of stress and it’s not as easy as people think.”

– Ethan Hokel

“There is no set schedule so sometimes that’s detrimental to people.”

– Megan Mitchum

“The reality that I probably wasn’t going to have a paycheck for the first 3-6 months.”

– Jessica Gilligan

“Another con is the inconsistency of the way the market goes. There are ups and downs, there’s busy seasons and dead seasons. You have to be good at budgeting and planning ahead and forecasting stuff like that.”

– Mike Crabb

“I’m enjoying being in real estate and I’m glad I made the decision. It’s 1000% harder than I thought it would be but I still enjoy every part of it.”

– Renee Dunkel 

“Overall, I get to make a difference in the lives of a lot of people.”

– Ethan Hokel

“The best decision hands down. The work is rewarding, the hours are fantastic, it’s whatever you want to make it.”

– Jason Mickelson

“There’s more to this than just showing houses and getting paid. There’s a lot more to it than that. You have to stay on top of the market, you have to stay on top of the laws, you have all kinds of people and personality types that you’re dealing with. You know every transaction is different; some of them are going to be easy and some of them are going to make you wonder why you do this job.”

– Mike Crabb

“The key to this business is that they [clients] need to tell someone about this experience, they need to be willing to recommend you to their friends and family. In order to be wildly successful, you need to know how to go out and build a referral-based business.”

– Jason Mickelson

“My advice would be to put both feet in. I think it’s hard to focus on two things- I think it’s easier to hit the ground running. Because then you can give 100% of yourself to the business.”

– Renee Dunkel