How a 21-year-old earned $53k in a month after ditching a coveted uni scholarship to chase his dream job in real estate - and his five steps for kickstarting a career in property
- Carter Lagana, 21, dropped out of university to kick start a career in real estate
- He interned for free for five months from August 2017 before his first pay cheque
- The following year he began selling multi-million dollar properties in Brisbane
- In six months, he earned $91,000 in commission, including $53k in June alone
- Mr Lagana said there are five steps to take to kickstart a career in real estate
A business student who dropped out of university earned $53,000 in a month by launching a career in real estate selling luxury multi-million dollar properties.
Carter Lagana, 21, from Brisbane, was completing a degree under a $24,000 academic scholarship in March 2017, when his step brother recommended he apply for a real estate internship advertised online.
Although he did not get the job, the student became hooked on the idea of a career in real estate and emailed a well known agent, Drew Davies, formerly of McGrath New farm, to ask if he could shadow him for free.
Carter Lagana (pictured), 21, earned $53,000 in June 2019 after dropping out of university to launch a career in real estate
When Mr Davies agreed, Mr Lagana quit his job and began working tirelessly, cold calling and door knocking to secure clients, until he was finally awarded his first pay cheque five months later- a retainer of $400.
All of his hard work paid off when he began making sales the following year, earning him a whopping $91,000 in commission between February to August 2019.
'When I dropped university to go full fledged into real estate, every one said ''you're crazy, you're crazy'',' Mr Lagana told Daily Mail Australia.
'[Then] I had my first five figure month in February 2019, where I earned roughly $28,000.
'In June I earned $53,000.'
Alongside Mr Davies, the then 20-year-old made two local record-breaking sales on Brisbane's northside.
Share this article
Both purchased off the market, 57 Enderley Rd in Clayfield fetched $4.625million in August 2018, while 69 Towers St in nearby Ascot was bought for $4.15million in April the following year.
Selling in exclusive suburbs, such as Ascot, and Hamilton, the pair represented wealthy and high-profile Queenslanders, including former Brisbane Broncos Captain Darius Boyd.
Mr Lagana said he left university in January 2019 because he thought he could earn and learn more outside of a classroom, and he has never looked back.
Mr Lagana (right), worked as an intern for Drew Davies (left) at McGrath New Farm, before the pair transferred to Place Ascot after Mr Davies took over as director in July 2019
'The opportunity cost of me being in a classroom just became enormous,' he said.
'To get into real estate, all you need is a real estate license in order to start earning money comparable to high earning professions, like law and medicine, which take years to become qualified in and give you debt.
'In real estate there is no corporate ladder, if you know what you are doing and are willing to put in the work to obtain those outcomes you could easily earn six figures in your first year.'
Mr Lagana said there are five basic steps anyone could take to kickstart a six-figure career in real estate after obtaining a license, which costs $1600 and can be completed in a two-week course either in person or online.
The first step is to get a thorough understanding about the industry through listening to experts in the field via podcasts or information online.
Next, research an agent you would like to learn from and reach out to them to ask if you can intern beneath them for free.
The real estate agents made a record breaking sale for 57 Enderley Rd Clayfield (pictured), which sold for a whopping $4.625 million in August 2018
69 Towers St (pictured), Ascot, was bought off the market for $4.15million in April 2019
The Ascot property features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and an outdoor pool
Once you have secured an apprenticeship, gain as much work experience to build up your skill set and learn how to connect with clients.
'As soon as you can, add value and contribute to the business,' he said.
'Generate leads and book appointments just by picking up the phone or knocking on potential client's doors. It is really that simple.'
The experience gained can then be leveraged to secure a paid position with the agency you have been interning with, or elsewhere.
The last step is to kickstart your career and begin making personal sales.
However, Mr Lagana urged those wanting to jump into real estate to remember success takes patience.
'Real estate is like a plane taking off, a lot of fuel is burnt simply trying to get off the runway,' he said.
'You have to put in the work consistently to begin seeing results.'
Using the experience he gained in real estate, Mr Lagana has now moved on to other entrepreneurial ventures.
He is currently working on a podcast, Brisbane Based, and business related content.
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
