Q: I recently retired from a government job.

Even though I get a good pension I'm still in good health and bored. I do volunteer work, of course, but I'd like to make a little money too, not just do "good works". I have friends trying to convince me that I'd be good at real estate. I've looked into the schools and licensing requirements and I've looked at lots of websites to see what training there is. My wife said that I should ask your opinion about it. I'd like to stay here on the Island.

A: Your timing might not be the greatest, I'm afraid. It's common, when there is a hot market, for many people to come pouring into the real estate business looking for a "piece of the action". Currently we have over 60 licensees on the Island. That's for an average of 250 sales a year. As they say, "you do the math".

Many of the agents working on the Island, like elsewhere in the country, are part time. They may do just one or two sales a year. That is extra money for them, of course, but working part time often means they aren't able to keep up with all the changes in the industry. It can mean they never become fully trained to make the best decisions and properly advise their clients.

It can be troubling for their clients who rely on their agent's knowledge and experience to guide them through a transaction. If the agent has little knowledge and even less experience it can cause some serious problems. Also, keep in mind that in our current market you have to be fast and competitive as well as knowledgeable.

It amazes me, after almost 20 years in this business, that there's still always something new to learn. I have years of experience in other businesses, years of training and education in real estate and a master's degree, but I still can't begin to know everything there is to know about real estate. It may look easy, but believe me, it is not. Best of luck.