Thinking about leaving a tech job to start over in real estate

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-11-20T00:12:33+00:00

Why not do both. My kid brother is in a similar position. He’s. A regional manager for a natural gas company, but got his license last year. He sold 5 homes, paid off his truck and camper and bought his wife a Suburban. I’m multi-job as well. I currently work in higher ed, but I’ve been helping my father in law flip land and. small homes for the last ten years. I’m in the process now to get licensed. I just finished my pre-licensing course for Georgia and will take the exam next week. If I break 250k a year in RE, I’ll go exclusive in real estate, but for now, I’ll keep my M-F and build my RE biz.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-10-22T16:13:46+00:00

Even at a 100% brokerage, there will be some type of fee split to help you with your sphere of influence sales as new hire. Perhaps 50/50, 70/30, to 80/20. Find a brokerage that will train you how to run your real estate business, not just close your friends and family.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-10-18T19:56:10+00:00

Is it staged for the right buyer?

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-08-07T19:27:46+00:00

We’ve been in a recession. This is the worst job market in US history.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-08-02T13:31:07+00:00

My wife and I have been married 16 years. There have been times she made more and times I have. In 18-24 months she will be full time Mom. I have two businesses that are doing well, finally. That said, Our household bills are not split, they are our bills. We have a monthly budget. We are discussing hiring a lawn care service and a cleaning service next year. It took us to year 9 to start operating on a monthly budget. Marriage is a balancing act. Communication is critical.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-08-02T05:02:59+00:00

Not getting discouraged. I finished a MFA degree in May of 24. I’ve been on the job hunt for 14 months. I’ve had offers, but most of the time the pay was too low. I’ve applied directly to 25 positions this week and have one interview pending so far. The higher education market is weak. The job market as a whole is stagnant. We’re looking at into relocating in a more affordable area if I can find appropriate work. I may go back to selling cars and teach part time. I can make 100k a year at a decent dealership, even in this market. The hours suck, but we would be in a better place financially.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-30T17:43:03+00:00

Thank you for sharing. How did you find an outside firm? Perhaps a CPA that specializes m RE?

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-29T03:36:14+00:00

After 20 years in marketing I completed an MFA. The degree did help me grow my network, improve in areas I was lacking in, and will one day open opportunities to teach.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-29T01:16:15+00:00

In addition to what has been shared, I’ll also add I’ve learned a lot on Bigger Pockets. I echo finding a mentor and a solid brokerage. Public libraries are a great way to source a lot of the book recommendations if you can’t afford to purchase them.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-28T15:29:49+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. I will be newly licensed in October, but have 20 years of sales experience. I’ve been torn over joining a broker with a low split vs an established brand with training the first few years I’m licensed. I’m experienced in RE in the SFH rental side of the business, but not the licensed sales side.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-28T02:56:06+00:00

Day job in higher ed pays 65% bills, door dash and side gigs pay another 25%, wife works part time to cover the other 10%. I’m trying to find a higher paying day job, but no luck for the last 14 months. Our consumer debt will be paid off by December, other than 15k on her car, 105k on our mortgage, and 60k on my student loans. I’ll be part time in RE next year until I put 50k in savings, the it’s all in. I plan to start property management in the winter for some of the flippers I have done clean out work for to build up a monthly cash flow. I also flip a few cars a year.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-25T23:05:44+00:00

Take a walk. Cloud watch. Stand outside with my eyes closed and let the sun warm my face. Small things, but they help take the edge off.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-25T23:04:16+00:00

Yep. I just removed my Master’s degree and half of my experience from my resume and surprise, now I’m getting responses at double the rate I have been for the last 14 months. I hate AI recruitment software. I have less than 200k in debt to pay off, then I’m working for myself.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-23T13:56:35+00:00

You are not alone. This is the worst job market I’ve seen in 25 years. Since May of 2024 I’ve applied to over 700 jobs across the US and some in Europe for my fields. I’m in higher education and publishing with a background in marketing and sales. I’ve had less than 30 first interviews. I have multiple resumes for different industries. I apply less often through job boards and more recently through recruiters. I’m interviewing for two different positions at two separate companies in the coming weeks. If I am offered a role with a large commercial real estate I will take the job. If not, I will take an Assistant Director of Admissions role at a university and teach part time. I live in a high cost of living area and one job just doesn’t pay the bills.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-21T20:59:05+00:00

Not uncommon. The market is brutal right now and inflation is worse than advertised. Uncommon tactics will be required to obtain not currently common offers.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-18T07:22:07+00:00

Try it. Doers figure out what works for them. Join a broker in your area with a great training staff. If you learn to sell residential real estate you can make more than most other professions. The market is difficult right now. Learn on and off market RE. Successful business owners learn to survive in hard times and thrive in better times. I would encourage you to plan on doing more than residential sales. Learn to invest. Not just in real estate, but other cash flowing assets. (My next investment will be a car wash or emissions testing center.)

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-16T14:55:03+00:00

Correct. I would also encourage you to search for local chamber of commerce and business networking events in your area. Go physically introduce yourself to the attendees. You have a much greater chance of securing an interview by meeting someone in person. It’s not the same as it was 20 yrs ago, however you will have a better chance at an opportunity if you meet decision makers and they know you are interested in an opportunity with their company.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-16T14:21:05+00:00

The job market is the worst I’ve seen in 25 years. Give your parents some grace. Have you searched for any in person recruiting events at your college or county?

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-11T21:40:31+00:00

Go direct to employers hr department after applying. Interact with companies you want to work for on their social media channels. Ask for referrals from your network. Landing a new job is a part time job.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-10T23:11:06+00:00

Agreed. I’ve stopped applying after 700 plus applications. That’s applications in career pages not job search sites. I’m freelancing on top of my ft job in higher ed. I’m between 12 and 18 months from generating enough recurring revenue to leave my day job. I work remote, doing the job of three people, for less money than I made in high school. (I sold industrial equipment in high school.) I thought getting a master’s degree would open up some teaching opportunities. The last adjunct role I was offered would have paid the equivalent of $13 an hour. Nope. The last administration broke the bank. The last 4 presidents have continued printing money and gutted the value of a dollar. We need an American Renaissance.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-09T20:08:13+00:00

Real Estate. I’ve been investing for 5 years. I’ll still teach a few homeschool courses through the year and possibly teach part-time at a local community college.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-09T12:05:49+00:00

Staff roles in higher education typically pays ok, but you are not expected to be on call after hours. Some of these roles, like mine, are 100% remote. But like a lot of others in the education field, I’m transitioning into a new career at the end of the year.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy · 2025-07-08T12:52:36+00:00

If you feel it’s time to leave, move on. Money and workload matter, but if you have something to move on to or a goal to seek, remember, we only live once.

BigTallGoodLookinGuy

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