How to become a real estate agent
A career in real estate is one of the best moves you can make if you are looking for freedom (financially and personally). But don’t wait, these market trends won’t last forever and every day you wait, you’re missing out on a commission.
In this article, we will show you step-by-step on how to push your old life away and step in to the life you deserve. You’ll be your own boss, set your own hours, and be the sole determiner of how much money you make. But first, you need to know how to become a real estate agent.
In the U.S., you can’t just start brokering real estate deals. You’ve got to be licensed. And, unlike a lot of businesses, licensure requires more than just paying a fee. You are going to be dealing in the most valuable asset that most people own in their life, after all.
So in this post, we’ll cover the most important steps that you’ll need to take to start your career in the real estate industry.
At the end of this article, we will answer all the frequently asked questions our students have.
Break out the pen and paper, and let’s get started….
1. Meet Your State’s Requirements
Every state has different license requirements to become a real estate agent. You should be able to find the ones that apply to you on your state government website but we will tell you what skills you need in real estate careers.
In general, most states share the following requirements:
- Minimum age of 18 (higher in some states)
- Legal U.S. resident
- Attend pre-licensing coursework
- Pass the real estate licensing exam
Once you know what your state requires, you can set goals for completing each step of the process outlined below.
2. Complete Your Education
Every state requires some amount of formal real estate education for those seeking their real estate agent license or broker license. Just like you wouldn’t want to trust a surgeon with your health if they weren’t properly trained, home buyers and sellers don’t want to trust you with their property without proof that you know what you’re doing.
Pre-licensing programs can be offered through colleges, real estate agencies, and even online. The amount of required coursework varies from state to state. Some require as little as 30 hours while others require more than 100.
If you are serious about learning how to become a real estate agent, you’ll want to find a program that is going to offer you a valuable experience. Here are some things to look for in a a good pre-licensing course:
- A track record for success
- Test preparation included
- Taught by experienced agents and brokers
One decision you’ll need to make is whether you prefer a face-to-face program or an online one. Online license courses are often lower in cost and more convenient for your schedule. But they do require self-motivation and discipline to get the most out of the experience. Take steps to complete the requirements before you submit your application and start selling.
A face-to-face course, on the other hand, provides real time feedback from a knowledgeable instructor, as well as a cohort of like minded students to bond with.
3. Prepare For Your Real Estate Exam
Many pre-licensure programs will include some form of test prep, as well as study guides. But you have to put in the hard work yourself if you want to ensure success on the real estate exam. It’s a pretty grueling test, so don’t think that you’ve got it in the bag just because you sat through your state’s minimum number of coursework hours.
If you really want to know how to become a real estate agent, you may find Real Estate Exam Ninja’s test prep materials to be exactly the thing you need. It’s a great online learning platform.
- Thousands of sample questions just like those on the actual exam.
- Hundreds of flashcards to help you memorize the most important real estate vocab.
- Audio lessons that you can stream from any device.
(P.S. – If you use our materials and don’t pass the exam, we’ll even refund you. That’s how certain we are of our program.)
4. Schedule Your Licensure Exam
You won’t be able to take the exam until after you’ve completed your coursework. And it’s best to not wait too long. You don’t want all of that learning to go to waste. So once you feel like you’ve studied up enough, it’s time to schedule your test.
Be aware that you’ll need to pay a fee for the exam. It’s usually in the $25 – $50 range, though some states charge more. The real estate exam is generally administered at a testing center, and your state government website will be able to provide you with more information about their preferred vendor.
We recommend scheduling your exam far in advance so that you can ensure you get a date that is convenient for you.
5. Take The Exam
Here are a few quick tips we have learned from a broker who teaches classes as his real estate business. It’s finally time to take your real estate license exam. Pass this and you will be a bonafide real estate agent. Follow these tips to make things go as smoothly as possible:
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before all exams and classes.
- Complete a light breakfast that will be easy on your stomach.
- Know all the details ahead of time regarding parking and other logistics.
- Plan to arrive at least thirty minutes ahead of schedule.
- Take a few deep breaths before you start, and give yourself an internal pep talk.
You studied hard. You got this. Now it’s time to show the world you can be a realtor.
6. Choose the Right Broker For You
Once you are a licensed real estate salesperson, you’ll need to find a broker to operate under. As an agent, you can’t deal in real estate 100% on your own.
Our advice is to get as much information about the brokers in your region as possible so that you can find the best one for you. Different brokers have different real estate commissions, offer different benefits, and specialize in different niches. Some brokers even offer a buying assistant and access to the areas best contractor.
Do your due diligence before choosing a broker, but also remember that nothing in life is permanent. You can always change agencies once you’ve gotten your feet wet in the industry and have a better idea of what direction you want your career to take.
How much does it cost to go to real estate school?
As of 2019, it costs $625 – $1,950 depending on the State you will be practicing in. These costs include the real estate salesperson, the practice real estate test, exam fees, licensing fees, real estate classes, background checks, test prep and your pre-licensing education. Your local broker is just a phone call away and can provide exact details.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent?
Per our Facebook survey, it can take anywhere from two months to six months to become a real estate agent depending on your work ethic, background and how fast you retain information. The faster you learn the terms, understand the application process and master the art of sales, the faster that real estate commission check will come in. We also suggest reading a ton of real estate agent articles on marketing, management, engineering and tax rates. Making friends with a certified inspector will also make managing your life easier.
Can you make good money as a real estate agent?
Yes! A real estate business can make over $1,000,000 per year. A real estate agent salary is largely influenced on career advice they receive from brokers, how they know the real estate law, where they take their classes and most of all how good they are at selling. The best part is that a career as a real estate agent can all be learned with tips you can find here.
How do I start a career in real estate?
The most important tip to set yourself up for a successful career in real estate is finding a real estate broker, sitting down with him or her and going over estate agent qualifications. Complete the steps he asks you to finish before you spend money on a license. These steps will show you the real estate licensing requirements that will be needed for the real estate salesperson exam.
Your Journey to Becoming a Real Estate Agent Can Start Today!
In life you just have to take a chance and jump. Whether you want to pursue real estate agent how to become as a full time job or just as a way to earn some cash on the side, it’s one of the best decisions you can make for your financial future. Get that license!
Now that you know how to become a professional real estate agent, the only thing left to do is take the first steps and requirements to grow your real estate business.
Learn what your state’s requirements are. Get enrolled in a pre-licensing program. And when you’re ready to study hard for that big test, know that Real Estate Exam Ninja has got your back. We guarantee you will pass your exam the first time and will show you how to become an estate agent. We can even give you tips to complete your application!
