Which is smarter to my goal: Launching my real estate career in the Rehoboth, Bethany Beach, Lewes, and OC Maryland coastal area and working to purchase a small second property in CA. Or, to move to CA and just start my real estate career there.

Hi there, I’m currently in my real estate course for DE, PA, and MD. Originally I wanted to complete it since I’m already halfway done with all of them, and then take the CA or NY course and move to one of the two (most competitive markets I know).

I decided a safer approach might be to make my long term goal to have a property out in CA so I can be out there some of the year after becoming a successful agent (that’s the dream at least). Even just a small condo.

Originally I told myself hell no, I’m not gonna build an entire career here just to get myself out to CA, “what a waste of time”. But after thinking about how I know the lower DE and surrounding area like the back of my hand, grew up here, have connections, etc. Whereas in CA, I’d just be throwing myself into one of the most competitive markets in America, I’m wondering if the goal could be success here in the beach towns of Delaware, and a property out in CA. I have a few neighbors who have done just that, but of course I’m entirely new to this. And I also don’t know if maybe trying to succeed in lower DE just to have a second property in CA where I eventually spend a decent portion of my time is a bad idea or just the right idea when compared to moving out to CA to try and make it big there.

I know both options are rather a big fat dream. But I’m a go getter who likes to put her mind towards goals others call “unrealistic” if you’d even call this that. So I want to know which of the two options a long term agent would recommend a newbie like me sets her mind to. Building a strong network and career along the DE and MD beaches and working towards purchasing a small property in my dream location of CA, or just saying screw it and moving to CA to launch my career in one of the most competitive markets there is…