Dan261

Hi, this is my first look at BE and would appreciate some positive input....
I am considering the E-2 visa route to become a self employed realtor operating in NY State. Has anyone got an experience of this or can suggest an alternative route to achieving it?
Thanks, Dan

scrubbedexpat099

E2 would not be appropriate.

Marriage?

Pulaski

Realtors are valued for their local knowledge of the area and the market, and experience of the process of buying and selling houses.

As someone from outside the US, how would you serve your clients when you have neither local knowledge nor experience of the process?

Dan261

I have general experience in this field (property developer)
I have extensive knowledge of the area and prices in the location I am seeking.
I have a job offer from a broker, but will only be available as self employed position...

Dan261

Already spoken for thanks 😃

Dan261

I have general experience in this field (property developer)
I have extensive knowledge of the area and prices in the location I am seeking.
I have a job offer from a broker, but will only be available as self employed position...

Noorah101

Is it you that's telling the broker you want to be self employed, or is the broker telling you that's the only way you can work for him?

Rene

tom169

I'm assuming that's a property developer in the UK?

I'm not sure how even being a property developer in the USA would help you sell the houses - apart from perhaps building custom homes for people.

Dan261

It's the brokers terms, apparently it's the norm in the immediate area...

ian-mstm

A self employed position? Hmm! As Douglas Adams might have noted, this is obviously some strange usage of the words "job offer" that I wasn't previously aware of.

I'm pretty sure this isn't actually a job offer, but a way for you to work without the broker paying anything or covering such things as health care insurance. You might as well just go into business for yourself.

Ian

Nutmegger

There isn't really a visa that would permit you to move here and be self employed with a desk in someone else's brokerage. You'd have to go the whole nine yards with your own franchise, premises, and employees for an E-2.

Dan261

My reference was to buying and selling property - I have experience in selling the properties I build to the public along with working alongside uk estate agents. It's all uk based experience, allbeit the same industry.
My question is whether a self employed realtor can qualify as a new business venture as per e2 requirements, I'm going to be light on start up funding - won't cost a lot to become a realtor (car, laptop, marketing etc), has anyone had any success in this type of application?

Dan261

Ok, thanks for input

Twinkle0927

So how long have you been living in the area?

Noorah101

Don't you have to the courses and exams to become licensed in the USA? That would also cost something.

Rene