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Proven Steps to Start a Successful Real Estate Career

  • Aviva

Overwhelmed by Advice on Starting a Real Estate Career? Too Much Advice, Not Enough Clarity If you’re just beginning your real estate journey, the sheer...

Aviva Sonenreich teaching how to start a real estate career

Overwhelmed by Advice on Starting a Real Estate Career? Too Much Advice, Not Enough Clarity

If you’re just beginning your real estate journey, the sheer amount of advice can feel overwhelming. Google “how to start a real estate career” and you’ll find thousands of opinions—many conflicting, most vague. But what if you had a clear, proven roadmap that’s worked for the top commercial real estate influencers in the world?

That’s exactly what Aviva Sonenreich, founder of The Warehouse Hotline and named the world’s commercial real estate influencer, shares in the lastest CRE Secrets episode. Her firm has bought, sold, leased, syndicated, and managed millions of square feet of warehouse space in Denver, with 97% of leads generated online. Her three-step roadmap shows exactly how to start a real estate career the right way—by focusing on licensing, finances, and mentorship.

The 3 Proven Steps to Launch Your Career

Here’s Aviva’s proven plan for anyone asking how to start a real estate career and actually succeed:

Step 1 – Get Your Real Estate License

  • No one will take you seriously without a license.
  • Research your state’s requirements (hours + exams vary).
  • Example: Colorado requires 168 hours of coursework and two exams.
  • Treat the process like a job: pass the test, gain credibility, and open doors.

Aviva’s story: Aviva admits she failed three times before passing—yet built a seven-figure career. The license is the entry ticket, not the end game.

Step 2 – Build a Financial Cushion

The second step in how to start a real estate career is money management. Deals take months to close, so a steady paycheck is not guaranteed. Aviva recommends:

  • Real estate deals take months to close—meaning no steady paycheck upfront.
  • Build a six-month financial cushion for living expenses.
  • Consider side work to ease the transition. Aviva bused tables before replacing that income with her first commissions.
  • Think long-term: your first year is about building a pipeline, not instant wealth.

Lesson: Amazon lost $2.9 billion in its first 10 years, yet became one of the most profitable companies in history. Real estate is similar—patience and financial discipline build sustainable success.

Step 3 – Find Mentorship and Work

  • The fastest way to learn is under someone already succeeding.
  • Reach out within your network or leverage LinkedIn to connect with brokers.
  • Call brokerages directly and ask for the managing broker (phone > email).
  • Be respectful: bring value, don’t just ask for advice.
  • Work under senior brokers: they often pass smaller deals to mentees, creating your first income stream.

Proof Stacking: With the median age of commercial brokers at 55, there’s a massive opportunity for ambitious newcomers to take on deals veterans no longer want.

Real Results from Mentorship + Action

Aviva highlights how shadowing experienced brokers accelerates learning:

  • Aviva passed her test after multiple attempts, proving persistence wins.
  • She built financial security by combining side hustles with real estate hustle.
  • Mentorship transformed her knowledge base in months, not years.

And now? She closes deals where commissions surpass her old annual restaurant income.

Her story shows that anyone can learn how to start a real estate career and build long-term success with the right roadmap.

Take the First Step Today

To recap, if you want to know how to start a real estate career, here’s your action plan

  1. Get your license – secure credibility and opportunity.
  2. Get your finances in order – build a cushion and avoid desperate moves.
  3. Find mentorship – learn directly from those already succeeding.

💡 Bonus Tip: Start sharing about real estate online from day one. Whether it’s houses, hotels, or warehouses—when people consistently see you talk about it, they assume you do it. Over time, this becomes your most powerful marketing tool.

Quick FAQs:

Q1: How to start a real estate career with no experience?
A1: Begin with licensing. Then save a financial cushion and find a mentor who can guide you.

Q2: Do I need money saved before starting real estate?
A2: Yes—plan at least six months of living expenses. Deals take time, and financial pressure can derail success.

Q3: Should I start in residential or commercial real estate?
A3: Either path works, but your choice should align with your interests. Both require a license, mentorship, and networking.

Q4: Is mentorship really necessary?
A4: Absolutely. Mentors accelerate learning, provide deal flow, and teach the business faster than any course can.

Q5: Can I build a real estate career without social media?
A5: Possible, but you’ll be invisible to most of your market. Sharing online from day one compounds your authority and attracts clients.

👉 This article is based on a CRE Secrets episode with Aviva Sonenreich, the world’s top commercial real estate influencer and founder of The Warehouse Hotline.

🎧 Listen to the full episode at CRE Secrets.

Stay Connected:

Follow Aviva and The Warehouse Hotline for exclusive insights, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes content on:

Have questions or ready to grow your CRE marketing? Reach out anytime — Aviva’s here to help you succeed.

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