Do I have to have a real estate license to buy homes, fix them up then sell them?

No you don't. You need a license only when you are representing someone else in a transaction and you have no equitable interest in the property.





Since agents are representing others, and collecting a fee for their service, they have to be licensed. Why? Because they are supposed to be the expert, and prevent their customer from making mistakes.





Since they are giving advice and assisting with the biggest purchase that person might make, they need a license so that there is a consequence for not doing the right thing, and so a buyer/seller will know that the person representing them has appropriate training.





When you buy a house to fix up, you have an equitable interest in the property. This gives you full and legal right to sell it your yourself. That's why you can sell a house for sale by owner.





There are advanced real estate investment strategies where you don't have to buy the house and still sell it for a profit. You can do this through real estate options.Do I have to have a real estate license to buy homes, fix them up then sell them?
No, you don't. It's just like you are buying a house for yourself or selling it for yourself. Enjoy!Do I have to have a real estate license to buy homes, fix them up then sell them?
No, stick it to the man!!
Not at all. The first step is finding a property to fix, fixing the property, then selling the property. Involved are numerous steps: (1) how to find one (2) how to know if it is priced right (3) what it would be worth when fixed up (4) deciding which upgrades would make the home more valuable (5) obtaining estimates for things you can't fix yourself (6) knowing what costs will be involved in the purchase and sale of the property (7) calculating if this would be a good investment (8) knowing how to negotiate a successful contract to purchase (9) knowing the steps to bring the property to a successful transfer of deed. Following needed repairs and upgrades, the property is ready for sale, which include: (1) pricing the property right for the market conditions and neighborhood (2) knowing how to market the property to the right target (3) knowing how to budget advertisement and knowing the costs involved in the sale (4) negotiating a successful sale (5) steps to take to reach a successful transfer of deed.





If you're not an expert in each of these items, you should consider hiring a Realtor. As your buyer's agent, an experienced Realtor is an expert in the above items. The Realtor's fee is built into the mortgage and if the money weren't built in to pay your buyer's agent, it would go to the seller's agent per their original contract together. As well, when you go to sell the property, the agent will often lower his commission as a courtesy.