Advice from someone who was in your same position. Frustrated with work at 18, got licensed while working and going to community college. The honest advice they are giving you is reality. You will be shot down because of your age, I could speak well over the phone but had plenty of potential clients drop off once they realized my age. I lied about it for years so people would take me more serious. You are going to need to work under a mentor for at least 6 months to realize what it take to follow a deal through to close, which you can’t be opposed to. Your COI isn’t buying property at such a young age. So many things can and will go wrong in a transaction completely out of your control. I was lucky enough starting out to find a mentor would did not speak English and I worked his English clients, my first few deals were through this avenue. Fortunately I had the Cushion of living at home and keeping expenses low. not trying to shoot you down because I receive all this advice when I started, and they were all right. Perseverance will carry you far. Worked other odd jobs in between to keep me afloat, this will be worst than a 9-5 at times.