Becoming A Realtor Just Got A Whole Lot Easier
There is a plethora of real estate agent television shows available to watch on a multitude of channels and streaming services. If you have been bitten by the real estate bug, and are thinking about a real estate license, you are not alone.
These shows make it all seem so exciting. Plus, for most people, if they are interested in becoming a real estate agent, it can fit well enough into their schedule where it can be a full-time career or just a part-time job on the side that is a consistent moneymaker.
You may think that becoming a licensed real estate agent will be a lot of work. However, there are plenty of real estate license courses available in person or online to become certified.
Requirements for Becoming a Real Estate Agent
The qualifications for becoming a real estate agent can differ from state to state. For instance, depending on the state, the person must be at least 18 or 19 years old. In addition, they must have legal US residency. Furthermore, the individual must complete a required pre-license education and then pass the state real estate license examination.
The pre-license education can vary from state to state. In some states, the requirement can be 40 credit hours of classes. While in other cases, states can require 200 hours of classes. And while the educational courses can be taken online, you must determine if you would benefit more from in-person classes instead.
How to Get your Real Estate License
Just like with the rest of your life, it is always best to proceed with a plan in place when you want to become a real estate agent.
First, determine whether you are going to take the course (or courses) online or in person. Call your local junior colleges and check with them to see if and when they offer a real estate pre-license course.
Many places offer accelerated programs for becoming a real estate agent that may only take a few weeks to complete. Be sure to shop around and find an educational facility that fits within your budget. There are plenty of places where these classes may only take a few hundred dollars.
Taking your Real Estate Exam
At the end of the program for becoming a real estate agent, there will be a final exam to take. Be sure to study appropriately for this exam, as it will give you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses as you prepare for an even bigger exam.
The larger exam, of course, is the state real estate broker examination. You must pass this to become a licensed real estate agent for that state. Depending upon the state, 40 to 70 percent of the people pass the exam the first time.
The good news is you can take the exam as many times as you need to pass. However, this will cost you both time and money. It is best to prepare the first time around. If you're doubting yourself and think you could use extra support, study guides can be found online with extensive exam prep.
Once you have passed the state exam, it is time to get your foot in the door at a real estate agency. In fact, most states require you to be associated with a current and active sponsoring broker before the real estate license is issued. The right broker will act as your mentor and guide you through the steps to becoming a successful agent.
While you may be in a rush to get started with selling houses, you must sign on with a real estate agency that is well-respected in the area. When discussing employment with them, ask questions about whether you will receive benefits, the commission structure, and if they offer continuing education.
On average, between the cost of courses, the application fee, and the exam fee, a person can emerge as a certified real estate agent for less than $1,000 in only a few weeks.
Make Your Presence Known in the World of Real Estate
Once you start getting your feet wet as a licensed real estate agent, think of how you can stand out from the rest of the crowd; a simple way to do this is through social media.
Using socials won’t cost you a dime to advertise and market yourself; it will only cost you time. Before you know it, you could be landing a few of those megadeals seen on television shows!