Jeremy Serwer ⋅ Woodstock, CT The Serwer Company, LLC ⋅ 30 years experience

Hello Ivan --

Now that you have your sales license, I suggest deciding early on which area of real estate you want to focus: residential, commercial (retailing, industrial, office) property management, etc. That determines which time of brokerage agency you start with -- and you have to start with one of them, as typically you can't legally work on your own until you have a broker license.

While DC is, indeed, a great market for all of these, all markets are very competitive for real estate sales people and brokerage in general. I'm on the commercial side and specialize in retailing -- mostly a Tenant Rep (some Landlord rep). Commercial is somewhat more complicated, but also very rewarding both energy-wise and money-wise.

If you want any further detail in the commercial/retailing category, please do contact me directly (I believe our e-mails are listed on this website). I'd be more than pleased to search our industry website for D.C. area retail broker houses and send you a list.

And, lest we ever forget, I appreciate your having given us all 7 years of service.

Bob Potterton ⋅ Oakton, VA Monday Properties (Commercial real estate owner manager, operator) ⋅ 30 years experience

Ivan - I live in the NVa area so Im not too far from you. Its a great area for real estate. I suggest you work with one of the more well know residential RE groups like Remax, L&F and others and seek a mentor to learn the ropes as they say. This is one business that you get out what you put into it. Join associations and other networking opportunities as your contacts and relationships that you develop is what will pay off in the long run. Good luck.

Jack Hollis ⋅ Tucson, AZ Writer & life coach ⋅ 31 years experience

Hello, I would research as many real estate firms as possible, especially those in your neighborhood, to learn what areas they focus on. Commercial, residential, rentals, and property management would seem to be the primary areas that most companies focus on. Develop a questionnaire to acquire as much info as possible on any or all of these areas. Select four or five of the firms you have researched then call them to get an informational interview. Say you are interested in a career in real estate and are gathering info about the specifics of the field. Stress that you are not looking for a job at this point. When you get some interviews use your questionnaire and find out as much as possible about what that company is doing and about real estate in general. Some of these companies may have some openings and even if they are not exactly what you want, I would consider them.
Find out about the DC real estate association-- they may have more than one -- and find out if they have monthly or any other type meetings that you might attend. Some groups have mixers periodically where you could meet folks in the field and perhaps find a mentor. You could do this when you interview people at the companies also. Someone might be interested in taking you under their wing. I would certainly stress that I was a vet.
Good luck to you.

Jack Hollis

Elaine Saramago ⋅ Roselle Park, NJ Exit Realty ⋅ 12 years experience

Hi Ivan, Congratulations on your salesperson license. I am an Army spouse and I have 12 years experience in Real estate if you like to call me I will give you some ideas how to launch your real estate career.