How To Become A Real Estate Agent
Purchasing or selling property is one of the most crucial decisions a person might take. If you want to relieve that burden off your client’s shoulders, learn how to become a real estate agent.
It takes study and experience to become a real estate agent. Additionally, it also needs the insight to help someone find their new perfect home, where they live happily and enjoy their life peacefully.
Before diving into how to become a real estate agent, let’s take a look at;
What Is A Real Estate Agent?
A real estate agent is someone who helps people purchase, sell, invest, lease, and rent their homes or commercial places. The real estate agent also acts as an advisor about real estate prices, mortgages, strategies, and various real estate market scenarios.
A real estate agent works under a brokerage.
How To Become A Real Estate Agent
To become a real estate agent, involves a combination of classroom learning, study, taking an exam, licensing, and experience. Different real estate brokers have set their own different requirements for hiring a real estate agent.
If you are ready to become a real estate agent, you need to obtain a license to operate. Requirements for real estate licenses vary among different states.
Before taking your license exam, some states require a certain level of education, certain credit hours in coursework, and more.
Each state has different requirements regarding;
- Age
- Education
- Pre-license courses
- Post-license requirements
- Exam and its eligibility
- Application process
- Application fee
- Background check and fingerprinting
- Continuing education
- How to accomplish the next level in licensing
- Criminal history report
Step By Step Guide on How To Become A Real Estate Agent
There are some basic steps to follow, regardless of which state you live in. There are 10 steps to become a real estate agent;
1. Understand State’s Requirements
The first step in how to become a real estate agent is to understand about your state’s requirements. To become a real estate agent, you are required to meet the state’s requirements and a national license doesn’t exist.
Each state has different requirements so you must pick courses that are required in your state.
Each state’s real estate commission’s website publishes their official pre-license requirements. Secondly, for this purpose, you can also visit the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) regulatory agency directory.
2. Choose A Real Estate School
Ensure that you join the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) accredited school that offers real estate pre-license courses.
Ensure that it offers courses according to your state’s requirements. Also, make sure that it has a good reputation, provides quality content, has professional instructors, and focuses on students’ progress.
Choose between online or physical classrooms, whichever is more feasible for you.
3. Complete Pre-license Coursework
Almost all states require pre-license coursework in some form before taking the real estate license exam. But still, the types and amount of coursework will be different for each state.
It is better for you to know how much cost you will have to bear for the coursework. You might need your savings or get funding or finances before starting your career.
4. Prepare For Pre-license Exam
At the end of your coursework, you are required to pass your pre-license exam before you take the real estate exam. After passing your pre-license exam, you are required to obtain your certificate of completion or an official transcript.
5. Apply, Schedule & Take State Real Estate License Exam
After passing your pre-license exam, it is time to apply for the state license exam. Research when and where in your state, the next state real estate exam is going to be held. These exams are normally administered by third-party testing centers.
Normally, the fee for an application is around $25. Ensure you have all the information regarding exam hours, documents, parking, test center route, and any required material for the test.
You should also consult your instructor, about how to schedule, get register and pay for exams.
6. Select A Real Estate Broker
Once you pass your exam, you can select a real estate broker at this stage or even later. It depends upon your state whether you require a broker sponsorship to take the real estate exam. It is one of the most important and biggest steps for your career in real estate.
Ensure that you do some research to find a good broker who helps you in achieving success.
Because the broker has authority over how and how much you get paid, your niche, and the resources available to proceed.
7. Pass State License Exam
The most important step in how to become a real estate agent is to take and pass the state licensing exam. Every state has different requirements and criteria to pass the licensing exams.
Normally, the cost of an exam is around $100-$300.
The exam has two parts, and you are required to pass both parts;
- General principles and practices in real estate on the national level
- Real estate laws on the state level
8. Join Real Estate Organization
After passing your real estate license exam and getting your license, you will want to join state and local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) or maybe the National Association of Realtors as a member.
These organizations will give you valuable and necessary network tools and resources. As a member of these organizations, you will be able to have access to research that will help in staying up-to-date and practice them in your domain.
9. Complete Post-licensing Coursework
After obtaining your real estate license, many states require you to complete your post-license coursework within a 6-12 month time period.
10. Start Your Real Estate Career
After following and achieving all the steps in how to become a real estate agent. Now it is time let everyone know that you are a real estate agent and you are in this business. Start interacting with buyers, and sellers and carry out transactions.
Make sure you work in liaison with experienced real estate agents to ensure that you are on the right path.
The Bottom Line
Here we conclude the top 10 steps on how to become a real estate agent. Obtaining your real estate agent license will take some of your investment in terms of time and money. But, it will pay off in terms of a rewarding job in the fast-growing industry of real estate.
A career in the real estate industry as a real estate agent can give you flexibility. You can work on part-time as well as full-time as a real estate agent. A full-time job will make sure that you are available for client service throughout the week and even on weekends.
Read more: What Does A Real Estate Agent Do
How To Become A Real Estate Agent FAQ
1. How can I market myself as a new real estate agent?
Creating your own market and marketing network will help you in getting started. You can contact and explain your portfolio to family, friends, home builders, realtors, lenders, and financers. You can make great use of social media by generating a profile as an agent. Additionally, you can post about services you provide, and news about you and your career as a real estate agent.
2. What is required by the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics?
The Code of Ethics explains precise guidelines of each of three below mentioned three divided sections;
- Duties to Clients and Customers
- Duties to the Public
- Duties to Realtors
3. What are steps to become a real estate agent?
Step By Step Guide on How To Become A Real Estate Agent
- Understand State’s Requirements
- Choose A Real Estate School
- Complete Pre-license Coursework
- Prepare For Pre-license Exam
- Apply, Schedule & Take State Real Estate License Exam
- Select A Real Estate Broker
- Pass State License Exam
- Join Real Estate Organization
- Complete Post-licensing Coursework
- Start Your Real Estate Career
