A real estate agent’s job isn’t bad – they get flexible hours, the ability to choose who they do and don’t work with, and the potential for earning is quite high. Of course, if something sounds this good, there just has to be a catch, and there is.
Becoming a real estate agent means a certain number of hours of formal education, passing the right tests, and even getting a certified broker to sponsor you for the first few years before you can start your own operation. Long story short, becoming a real estate agent isn’t a piece of cake – it can take anywhere between one to three years.
If you want to know the whole process, keep reading.
Take a Real Estate Course
One of the first things you’ll need to do to become a real estate agent is to pass an exam, and you can’t sit for that exam unless you’ve taken a certain number or hours of classes. In New York, you need 75 hours of study, but in Texas it’s 180 hours.
You can take these classes either online through platforms like AypoRealestate, community colleges, and even special real estate agent schools. There are probably going to be a lot of schools in your area that offer these classes, and it might be a good idea to look around.
Sit for the Exam
The exam itself is based on two sections – a general section where you answer questions about real estate principles and concepts, and a second section that is specific to your particular state. The actual number of questions in the test depends on the state you’re in, but they are all multiple choice questions. If you fail the exam, you can retake it, but you will need to refer to your state’s regulations to see how many times you can retake the exam and how long you have to wait in between attempts, and accordingly, you can buy posters.
Apply for License Activation
Once you’ve passed your real estate agent’s exam, you will need to apply for your license to be activated. Keep in mind that you’re not allowed to do any real estate work before you have your license, which means you still have a little while to go before you can start work.
You will be mailed your real estate agent license. Once it’s issued, people will also be able to look you up under the licensees’ section on your state’s website.
Join a Brokerage
Once you have your license, you will need to join a brokerage or have one sponsor you for the first few years of your practice. Depending on the arrangement you have with them, you will be paid a certain percentage for every successful deal you make.
Market Yourself Properly
When you finally start working, recognize that you are a business and your income most probably depends on closing deals. This means that you will need to be methodical in your approach, and make sure to set goals for yourself and also avoid making mistakes like not removing broken screws.
One of the most important things, though, is that you market yourself properly on social media. Reaching the right people and telling them you’re here to help is the only way you will be able to get deals, and is essential to your real estate practice.
