‘Property Wars’ star opens real estate ‘university’ to educate, create jobs

Nothing may seem more volatile than the housing industry, but as the saying goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Doug Hopkins, the real estate “King of East Valley,” couldn’t agree more.

“The one constant in the market is that it’s always changing,” real estate guru Doug Hopkins told News/Talk 92.3 KTAR’s Mac and Gaydos on Monday. “I’ve been licensed since 1994 — 20 years — and I’m able to make money in every single market and I’ve taught a lot of people, as well, how to do that.”

Hopkins, owner of Arizona’s RedBrick Realty and the star of “Property Wars” on the Discovery Channel, wants to give back to the community by providing a new career path for those interested in real estate.

“We came up with the idea to start our own real estate university, so to speak,” Hopkins explained. “It’s right there in my office at RedBrick Realty and we have people coming in left and right off the street who have never done real estate and we’re teaching them how to do it and basically giving them a new career.”

The entire RedBrick University course, including materials, costs only $200. The idea is to give back, not make bank.

“I’m making zero money off of this,” Hopkins said. “This is all to give back and give people an opportunity to come into real estate and be as successful as I am.”

And there’s no catch, no gimmick. Once the person become licensed, they can work for any Arizona brokerage they want, not just RedBrick Realty.

“This career has been unbelievable for me. It’s allowed me to do some wonderful things with my life,” said Hopkins. “I’m at the point now where I really enjoy giving back and that’s one of my goals of what to do here on out. I’ve made a very good living for myself and I’d like to help other people.”

But Hopkins is only willing to help those who help themselves.

Real estate is hard work, especially when someone is just starting out. Without a boss, without punching a timecard, Hopkins insisted that you’ve “got to be dedicated and be able to get out of bed in the morning.”

Starting out, Hopkins worked 12 and even 15-hour days, and often worked seven days a week.

“Just like anything, you’re only going to get what you put into it,” said Hopkins. “[But] I’ve looked at pretty much every job that you could possibly look at, [and] there’s no easier or better way to make money than to deal with real estate, that I’ve found.”