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Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager (American West Realty and Management)

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I got my broker's license at the 3 year +/-  . . . but not intending to open a shop. I worked for a broker 250 mi away w 10 offices. He was great when I could get an audience with him, but I knew I needed more empowerment for those times I couldn't just snag him. After another year, it dawned on me that I could answer my own questions with the help of ARS and Commissioner's Rules . . . and so Next Wave was hatched from yet another cosmic imagining.  LOL
Carmen has worked for me for 15 years and could have been a broker many times over. She doesn't care to, because she has me on speed dial. 

Nov 11, 2017 07:47 AM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

I studied pretty much from the time I got my agents license, and took the test at 3 years, the first opportunity they would let me. I did this for two reasons: I just felt I did not know enough with just the agents stuff (it took me just 10 days of studying for that one and take the test). Have been a broker since 2009 in California and 2013 in Hawaii (the first I could get my license there), and love it.

Nov 11, 2017 07:54 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Not until I planned to open my own office.  

Nov 11, 2017 07:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I waited a while.

Nov 11, 2017 07:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm in the process of getting mine.  Sent the forms in to the state on Monday.  I started the education process as soon as my length of service requirements were met.  Should get a test date sometime next month.

Nov 11, 2017 09:19 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

mine is from 1978 and everyone could be a broker.... 

 

Nov 11, 2017 08:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Most realtors I know who start the career with a broker license. It did not then need the work experience just needing a degree. Most broker associates I know are not in real estate industry anymore. One is selling cellphone, solar panels and one sells home made sauce at farmers market. They are happier. The owner is always scratching his head worrying about how he is going to pay the office rent, and color toners, getting letters from BRE.

It was 20 ft away from me 12 years ago. Today I will not touch it with a 120 ft totem poll.  Lots of rocks to them.

Nov 11, 2017 07:56 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

Roger has a Broker's License, and he waited 8 years before he got this, though in the meantime, took other classes with other designations after his name, i.e., GRI, SFR, SRES.  I do not have mine, as I'm still a fairly new Realtor Nathan Gesner

Nov 11, 2017 08:26 AM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I guess it depends on what suits you most.  I personally would wait.  I think experience speaks louder than passing any exams in this business.  I've come across quite a few brokers in the Dallas area who didn't really know what they are doing.  They just simply passed the exam.  It's good publicity to have a broker license and if you want to open a shop and sponsor agents to get monthly desk fee.  There are brokers that I know who had only done a handful of  transactions in their entire lives.  (One broker has only sold one home).  They usually sponsor agents and charge a low fee.  So that's another business model since they are likely to attract experienced agents who don't need much help but just need a broker to hang their license.  The agents benefit as well with low fees.  There are TONS of brokers here, in fact, too many.  Almost everyday I received an email to recruit. 

Nov 11, 2017 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

First possible chance, I believe it was 1 or 2 years.

Nov 11, 2017 10:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I have all the broker exam materials on my shelf. I waited 15 years, then when I began and learned about the "risk vs. reward" for what I was planning to do, I canceled it. The liability in CA is too high to not use it on a large team or office. I preferred to open my own office with BBR as my broker. They allowed the satellite office and take on the risk.

Nov 11, 2017 09:02 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

In Illinois had my licese for 3 yeas before taking the brokers exam. I was exempt from claasroom onxe I passed the BAR. In Florida never intended to get a broker's license until I was drafted for managment. It was about 3 years!

Nov 11, 2017 08:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

As soon as I was eligible.

Nov 11, 2017 07:41 AM
Rainer
213,263
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

First second available

Nov 11, 2017 10:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I've been in the business since 1999 and never pursued a broker's license.

Nov 11, 2017 10:39 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I did not upgrade right away, was not ready. Even after all the classroom hours I still waited to take the test (had two years to do it), but finally did it. Still worked as Associate Broker for a while before establishing my own firm.

Nov 11, 2017 10:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Nathan Gesner I got my broker's license as soon as I was eligible. Back then (1990) an agent had to have five years of experience to be eligible to take the test and get a broker's license.

At that time there was only classroom study available. The five broker modules were spread out over a six month period.

Nov 11, 2017 10:24 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I began with a Broker License that I obtained while still in law school.

Nov 11, 2017 09:49 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I jumped way ahead to knock it out & did tests. BRE wouldnt let me pre-pay

Nov 11, 2017 09:48 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

The moment I could, I did! I'm an education-a-holic so, of course, I was an easy sell to get it done right out of the gate!

Nov 11, 2017 09:16 AM
Rainer
98,823
Becca Rasmussen
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Highlands Ranch, CO

Waiting, possilby forever, though in Colorado I've already had a broker license from day 1 since that's how we roll. I could upgrade to my "Independent Broker" license at the end of December as they only require two years of time under an employing broker, but I won't at this time.

(1) Why give up all the access to knowledge and training and support?

(2) CO requires that independent brokers have a publicly-accessible office and I don't want my home office to be that and will not pay for a storefront office I won't use. So this alone will probably keep my license hanging at someone else's outfit for the foreseeable future unless CO changes that little requirement.  

Nov 11, 2017 08:57 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I got my broker's license about 6 months after I became eligible. I did not have it on my agenda but did it because several other agents in the office were getting theirs.

Nov 11, 2017 04:52 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

In Oregon every brand new licensee is a Broker - has been that way since 2001. I became a Principal Broker at the first opportunity which was 3 years after getting my Broker's license. 

Nov 11, 2017 03:17 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

That was my original plan until I found out that KW allows us to basically operate our own business and let them handle the brokerage side.

No real reason to go through the extra paperwork as long as KW handles this for me.

Nov 11, 2017 01:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I waited a long while and idn't do it until I wanted to be my own broker.

Nov 11, 2017 10:08 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Yes

Nov 11, 2017 09:35 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

yes

Nov 12, 2018 12:17 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

We did after the 3 years full time sales period, but chose not to open our own store.  Happy to pay the split that includes a great bricks and mortar location, designated broker and managing broker, team leader, all the staff, all for less than $1800 per month - which is collected as revenue arrives - not "up front".

Nov 12, 2017 04:50 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  5 years in.  I wasn't going to get the Broker license until I would open my own office.  But the State of Florida announced stricter requirements (a whole lot more classroom hours); I wanted to get grandfathered in, so I took the course and got the license.

Nov 11, 2017 05:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Interesting answers to this question.  Each one could be a post.

Nov 11, 2017 05:54 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

No not really as was licensed in 1987.  I think I got my brokers license in 2002/3 and we opened our own company in 2006.

Nov 11, 2017 04:06 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

After I got my broker license I started my own small brokerage and ran it for a good number of years. After a while I noticed that offers written by agents in a certain large brokerage in my city were well-written, smart offers. The agents were well trained and easy to work with. I closed my small brokerage and set up a team within that larger brokerage. Best decision I could have made.

Nov 11, 2017 02:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I am not a broker.

Wow, that is great question and something to learn from the answers. 

Nov 12, 2018 11:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Still waiting, Nathan.

Sep 02, 2018 11:16 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I waited way to long.  I would say do it sooner and later.

 

Nov 14, 2017 01:47 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

The year after I got into real estate, the Broker license was mandatory.

Nov 14, 2017 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

First possible chance

Nov 12, 2017 09:44 AM
Rainer
14,153
Fahlman Property Group
Realty ONE Group Preview - Marysville, WA
Real Estate Team Serving Snohomish County

No I didn't upgrade at the first possible chance.

Nov 12, 2017 09:19 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I took my brokers test 1 year after getting licensed which is what is allowable here in NH. 

Nov 12, 2017 07:49 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Back in the day I could have initially applied for a Broker license. I waited a few years then went for it.  It took me 9 years before I went independent. 

Nov 12, 2017 06:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I'm still waiting.

Nov 12, 2017 06:26 AM
Rainer
427,267
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

I got mine about four years in, 2 years after I could sit for it. It was while I was getting my GRI and the guy sitting next to me was studying for his Brokers test. I joked with him I could get mine before he could and...we’ll i did. after I got it I went back to my office, where just about everyone in the office had their Brokers license, and told my PB. He kind of stammered a moment, said “You did...? That’s great. Can you help me sync my calendar on my new iPad Air?” I left his brokerage two weeks later 

Nov 12, 2017 04:33 AM
Rainmaker
308,914
Scott Pope
Nautical Properties - Panama City Beach, FL
You Can't Live Without Water™

ASAP at the 2 years experience requirement in Florida. I have always done my own thing. I owned an auto glass business at age 25 and had never installed a glass before (had experienced glass installer working for me, but I owned the business). So at the first opportunity I got my broker's license and have my own brokerage. 

Nov 12, 2017 04:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I have always had a broker's license for decades. And in any event, North Carolina is an all broker state now, so you must have a broker's license... and earn it within two years of getting licensed as a provisional broker. The mandate to be a full broker has nothing to do in NC with whether or not you plan to open your own office. Personally, I also have a broker-in-charge license.

Nov 12, 2017 04:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not have a broker license

Nov 12, 2017 03:02 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I waited about four years before I studied for/applied for my broker license. I am not an independent broker though.

Nov 12, 2017 02:58 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I opened my office within 2 months

Nov 11, 2017 10:01 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I went for my broker's license about 2 years after getting my Realtor's license.

Nov 11, 2017 07:49 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Exactly 2 years in, the amount of time required in Idaho, John and I both got our Broker licenses. -Kasey

Nov 11, 2017 06:31 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I waited several years Nathan Gesner .

Nov 11, 2017 05:09 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I was about to take a broker license( got all requirements) but decided i do not need it yet. 

Nov 11, 2017 03:38 PM