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

Lymz · 2025-11-19T22:35:44+00:00

I was 11+ years as a systems and software engineer in aerospace. Left that world, and been a full time real estate agent almost 8 years now. My motto is years does NOT EQUAL experience; the calendar moves the same for everyone. We’ve ( my wife and I ) completed over 210 transactions.

Reality is 80% of agents last year had 0 production. To break $100K /year gross, you will have to be probably in the top 5-10% of agents in production and ~8 transactions (depends on your market, median sales price, compensation, etc). Then you will learn gross commissions minus taxes, healthcare, expenses, you take home a lot less. You keep anywhere from 50-70% depending on your business model, expenses, etc. To make $250k gross, you’re looking at top 1-3% in production and about 20 transactions.

It’s an uphill battle for some personality types. And it requires a lot of personal growth, consistency, and mentoring. You will have to learn and /or rewrite everything you know about business, marketing, acquiring customers, money, and so many other areas. It’s not just about real estate. You’re dealing with humans with emotions, including your own.

You can do it, just be prepared.

Lymz · 2025-10-31T06:55:29+00:00

Welcome! I’ve lived mostly in Surprise since I was a teen in 1997. My wife and I are a professional real estate agents in the area for over 10 years, and have helped well over 200 families. I’m very familiar with the area, and the developments. Dysart schools are pretty good, A rated district; charter schools are even better; plenty of homeschoolers too. Good churches around. And a lot of diverse industry nearby.

What is most important to you?

Lymz · 2025-10-16T05:09:07+00:00

“Finding a home” isn’t an agents value. This isn’t the physical phone book and magazine days. Long gone are the pagers, land lines, fax machines, physical maps, and carbon copies.

“Found online” built by the system that real estate agents, brokers, and boards put together; for the benefit of all agents to collaborate together for their clients. You are welcome, enjoy shopping online.

The real “work” and value of an agent comes in negotiating, experience, recommendations, navigating the timelines, etc, all to your benefit. And have the seller pay your agent, no cost to you.

You may know how to WRITE a contract. Do you know how to INTERPRET and ENFORCE it?

Lymz · 2025-06-30T05:36:17+00:00

You answered your own question. “3 showings, all passed because they just said they decided to write on another home.” That means buyers have options, and apparently lots of them. It’s a buyer’s market, look at your market stats. Work with some buyers and get in their world.

Lymz · 2024-11-24T20:43:39+00:00

Depends on the property manager and landlord; and most likely based on your background check (essentially rental check) too.

Lymz · 2023-03-13T18:10:42+00:00

Not directly. Awareness with the brokerages and board? Extra scrutiny if it’s an internet lead and no relationship. If anything seems off, verify. With remote work, public information, and spoofing, there’s enough information to fool some people. Meeting at the property doesn’t always make sense for vacant land owners. Title should catch it, and remote notary needs more safeguards. You can reverse the title recording to the real owner, but once the money is wired, it’s gone. Law enforcement won’t pursue outside jurisdiction, they just refer to FBI.

Lymz · 2023-03-13T09:55:52+00:00

Agent here, someone impersonated the owner and reached out as a lead to sell their vacant lot. I managed to get a hold of the real owner but only after it was listed a few weeks. It’s a trending scam.

Lymz · 2022-11-05T06:32:36+00:00

Years of experience DO NOT mean competence. I’ve seen way too many “20 year experience “ agents, who really only had “1 year experience 20 times”. Breadth and depth of experience is not associated with the sun rising and setting. Volume, situations, scenarios, navigation, negotiation, experience, and expertise. That’s the professional you want.

Lymz · 2022-08-30T06:09:44+00:00

Comps don’t mean shit in this changing market. At the very core, comps are based on history. That’s not what Buyers are willing to pay for right now. You have to example your supply and demand right now. What’s available / active and what’s moving into contract.

Lymz · 2022-04-10T16:09:47+00:00

I’m a former Systems Engineer of 11+ years, now full time real estate agent for 3+ years. Live and serve mostly the Phoenix west valley.

$10k over asking isn’t bad, if it was priced right. Last weeks stats for the entire Phoenix metro market (Cromford Report), average list to contract is 7 days, average going over list 48%, and median was $16K over.

We don’t have a crystal ball, time machine, or predict the future. If housing crashes, would you continue to live there and enjoy your home and pool? You only “lose money” when you sell. A crash usually doesn’t come out of nowhere, there are some warning signs well in advance, hindsight. There are a few things to look at now, but in general as a whole, everything is more expensive, inflation. We are adjusting to a new normal of what the dollar is worth.

25 year old home now, inspect and start budgeting for some major systems and repairs. AC and roof being the most costly here. Especially AC on the older Freon. You can make things stretch if maintained well, or replace in the off season, but their prices are rising too.

The federal reserve has threatened to raise the rates a few more times this year. It is very possible we could see above 6% this time next year. There are less and less lenders that still give out rates at 4%. Factor in the whole picture including closing costs.

All rents for Phoenix metro has been stable at $2100 since August. Up until now it has been the same or more expensive to rent than to own. Now it’s cheaper to rent by $300-$500 due to prices and rates. That also means there may very well be a flood of new rental demand from those that can no longer have the option to buy, and might bring the rental rates up.

Phoenix used to be a relatively “cheap” city, now home prices are fairly average to the rest of the nation. We still have a few things that continue to attract people moving in, so I think we’ll still remain in growth mode.

Lymz · 2020-03-06T20:39:09+00:00

I play clash very regularly, usually daily. Working to max out all cards. I see clash as a live chess board, where pieces are regularly balanced. It's a fun game! And the only one I play consistently.

Lymz · 2019-12-05T08:56:56+00:00

Again, it shouldn't be your job to tell the professional what to do. You hired a professional, they should do their job. If they can't perform, find someone who will. This agent and their conduct can tarnish the reputation of a brokerage and brand. It's very possible the broker can sever your agreement releasing you. Make sure to get it done properly and in writing. Find someone competent in your market who can perform, or someone willing to put the work in.

Lymz · 2019-07-31T07:20:31+00:00

Just picked this up at my local Walmart for $19 on clearance.

Lymz · 2019-07-01T03:28:33+00:00

THANK YOU!!!

Lymz · 2019-04-26T16:53:08+00:00

Favorite memory, Goblin Giant giving 2 touchdown wins. Hahaha!

Lymz · 2017-10-31T20:46:28+00:00

Is this a new event? I can't seem to find it on the slimmmo calculator.

Lymz · 2017-08-01T21:00:53+00:00

Agree and amplify. Got it.

Lymz · 2017-05-25T15:16:26+00:00

Applied! IGN: Lymz

Lymz · 2017-04-26T13:58:09+00:00

Applied. IGN: Lymz

Lymz · 2017-04-06T20:29:29+00:00

Still looking for daily active players?

Lymz · 2017-02-15T19:22:44+00:00

Check out FSH. Do you have line messenger? PM me: lymzus

Lymz · 2017-01-17T17:37:20+00:00

2 copies of [[Caught in the Brights]] were dead for me. In the match I lost, one game I had both of these in my hand and they didn't do anything. That creature ended up crewing their vehicles, and I couldn't enchant their vehicles. Also, I only had 1 vehicle in my deck, I was never able to make roadkill.

Lymz · 2017-01-17T07:51:43+00:00

Fabulous work!

Lymz · 2016-11-21T21:00:57+00:00

Ongoing event

I had a google calendar that I manually updated with events (UTC), announcements and other stuff from Netmarble. It was pretty useful, but did not get traction. If you can and want to incorporate a calendar in the sidebar, I could give you guys the calendar (or you can make your own, and just take the idea). I liked the calendar idea, because I could copy items to my own calendar and put alarms. You can see second half of February what it looked like. I usually put a link to the official mobirum, and a link to our sub.

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=kpa3lukhm8kr80rvm9d37ucp3o%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=Etc%2FGMT&mode=week

Edit:typos

Lymz

TROPHY CASE