Basic Guide to Becoming a Real Estate Agent
If you believe that a real estate career is right for you, you first need to learn how you can become a qualified real estate agent. To become a successful agent, you need to invest in your education, look for a broker who can help you find clients and pass the different licensure exams. If you are serious in becoming an agent, you will find the following information useful.
Get An Education
It doesn’t matter which state you want to work in, you must take pre-licensing courses. However, you have to understand that each state have different requirements. For example, the state of California requires at least three college-level courses while other states require a set number of hours of education. To learn the requirements of your state, you must contact the local real estate commission.
Look For A Brokerage
A brokerage is an agency from which agents and brokers work. Working for a broker is a necessity. For this reason, you will need to look for a brokerage before you graduate from your training course.
You have to know that brokers may require additional three years of training for this career. In addition, they can guide you through the questions you have regarding your chosen career. They can also help you in listing and selling homes. When you choose a brokerage, you have to consider the following factors:
- The size of the brokerage
- Their reputation and credentials
- The additional training courses they are offering
Get Licensed
Getting a license is critical in becoming a real estate agent. To practice in this career, you need to pass the state and national exams. In addition, you also have to go through a criminal background check.
Capitalize and Invest In Your Chosen Career
You have to understand that becoming a real estate agent isn’t cheap. You will need to invest and capitalize. For instance, you will need to set aside a start up fee of about $1,500 which should be divided between business cards, advertising, fees, and licensing courses. In addition, you also need to set aside a budget to help you get by for a few months since this career is a commission-based business.
Build Your Portfolio
Having a good portfolio is a must to become successful in this field. To build your portfolio, you can look for a mentor or use your personal network. As a new agent, it is advisable to look for someone who can teach you the basics of this career. A mentor can guide you towards buyer/seller contracts and will split commissions with you. By finding a mentor, you can learn the works while getting commission checks.
