Is 30 too late to start a real estate career with no savings or network?

[RavenWing057]

I’m in my early 30’ and feel a bit behind in life. I lived that stereotypical Asian family restaurant life. Where the parents push the child to take over the business eventually.

Family dynamics are very complicated and decided to get away from them to keep myself sane and healthy again. I met someone that mentored me and I eventually became Assistant Restaurant Manager (for corporate). That was short lived as we both lost our jobs around the same time.

Since then I’ve been doing gig work doing deliveries for Uber 8-10 hrs/ day. And I actually make just a tiny bit more than when I was salaried even after factoring out gas and wear and tear. After having the experience of being salaried for the first time in my life, and having a taste of corporate…I realized the pay was not worth it. I get so much freedom with Uber, work however more or little as I want…yet when I was salaried, it doesn’t matter if you work 17hour days you still get the same amount. The person who mentored me is an award winning mixologist and I’ve been exposed to the industry more, and I know I’m good. His skills are out of this world, yet he is also struggling to get a higher position.

However, I don’t see myself being a corporate slave. And I don’t have enough money to start my own business. I figured being a Real Estate agent gives the balance of working independently but not completely alone.

I told my family friend this recently and she was very discouraging. Said that you need to give a rich impression and need a nice car, market is bad now, that the ones that do good is because there parents were in it. I explained if I went into anything else like vet tech or nail tech/hair stylis, it would either take too to finish the course or I would continue to be in debt.

What do you think it takes to be good in real estate? Is what she said true?

[indissoluble]

Technically older people do better in real estate sales than younger people. The reason why is that older people are the ones buying houses and you have to relate to the customer, negotiate with the buyer and seller, and overcome objections. Older people are less likely to listen to younger people when making major financial decisions. What do young people know about life and finances... They can't even afford houses these days, and they are suppose to advise the older people on how to spend their money? You see the conflict?

You can make money in real estate when the market is going up and when it is going down if you know what you are doing, but you have to be a strong sales person. Most people are not extremely outgoing, highly energetic, charismatic, and persuasive. Some people have it and most don't. You have to be honest with yourself in that regard. Real estate sales is a grind. You have to show many customers many different pieces of property and most will not buy. Lots of gas and lots of wear and tear on vehicles. A lot of it is fruitless, but you have to play the numbers and persistently sell at all hours of the day. It's like a 24/7 job that never ends. I know people that were great sales people in other industries and they did OK in good real estate markets, but not in bad markets. They are out of the business now and doing other things. I know people that were good with public relations but sucked at sales who tried real estate and couldn't make it. I know someone that makes like $20K a month in good and bad markets and she came from a swimming pool construction business. She helped her husband manage building projects before selling real estate. She's always making money no matter what the market is like, but she's a little firecracker. She is use to working every single day due to the construction industry. She don't look rich. She drives around in an old Honda civic for the gas mileage, but she knows how to get listings, price them right, and move product.

[indissoluble]

To put that in perspective she has $15-20 million in listings at any given time in order to maintain the sales volume needed to earn that kind of money. Most real estate agents are not doing anywhere near that.

[exitseven]

I just sold a house the out real estate agent was very knowledgeable about the current market conditions, what was important to buyers, legal issues and construction. He was a hard worker and if there were issues he took care of them right away. I think he makes decent money but it is a lot of working nights and weekends.
I started a new career in IT when I was almost 40. I went back to college and got an MS in computer Science. It took me 2 years and was very challenging. However I had a few really good jobs and had no trouble finding work.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[Nikki1989]

It is never too late, but it is important to remember that real estate is a relationship business disguised as a property business. The best in the industry don't focus on the transaction; they focus on the connection.

[Abbycado]

I don’t think so with the right credentials.

[AI Opinion]

Advisor Smith here.

30 is absolutely *not* too late. I’ve coached many people who started real estate in their 30s, 40s, even 50s and built solid careers. Your restaurant/management background is actually a big asset: you understand service, pressure, and people.

To succeed in real estate you need:
- Relentless lead generation (online + in‑person)
- Strong communication and follow‑through
- Willingness to learn sales, contracts, and local market data
- Financial cushion or part‑time income at first

You do not need rich parents or a luxury car. You need consistency, professionalism, and a clear plan.

[Anonymous]

No. There are SUCCESSFUL people that start at 50. But know regardless of the age you start at that the failure rate is HIGH for a career in Real Estate.

Everyone feels behind in their 20's and 30's. I was flat broke at 26. Now I got a high six figure net worth. And am on pace to hit a million in 3 to 4 more years. At times I still question whether I've taken the right path. But I'm ahead of most of my peers and a lot of them are smarter and work harder. Trust me when I tell you you can do everything right and it still turn out wrong and do most things wrong and still make one massively good move that carries you. So know you're NEVER out of it at any age. Don't get discouraged.

[Staximus]

My friend’s dad became a real estate agent at age 60 when he retired from the sheriff’s dept. Most real estate agents aren’t young, at least not around here. There are plenty of non-corporate restaurants to work at. Being a real estate agent is not a steady income unless there’s a shitload of houses to sell in a neighborhood where houses are in demand, or you work for a big agency that’s sending you clients. It’s something many people do on the side as a secondary source of income.

[bowenw]

Real estate is a tough competitive career. It takes someone with a huge drive to be successful and a willingness to work long hours including evenings and weekends. In addition a pleasant personality and extensive knowledge is required.

[DryGermanGuy]

Doing… what? Building houses, renovating and flipping houses, brokering houses?

[MrChinaski]

Half of people don't know what they want to do by the time they turn 30. There's absolutely zero reason not to make a new start.

[Kelly6]

@RavenWing057 never too late to start any business or career.

i started my farm business as side career at age 40

[Anonymous]

It can't hurt to try

Everyone I know with involvement in real estate are landlords and renovators who paid cash so I don't even understand mortgages

[Anonymous]

No it's not, 40s is probably too late to start a real estate career with no savings or network.

[Zionne]

nauuurr, will never be too late

[Anonymous]

In what metropolitan area do you reside?