It is no secret that the housing market is hot right now, and that makes this the perfect time to start a real estate sales career. Real estate agents are in demand right now, and many are filling their weekly appointment books with showings and open houses. However, not everyone can be a real estate agent. But there are some prerequisites; before you become a licensed real estate salesperson, you have to meet some requirements. These requirements include:
Check State Requirements
Unlike other careers, the requirements for becoming a real estate salesperson are entirely up to the state. The requirements can be as simple as completing a basic course in real estate and passing a final exam, or they can require years of training and experience in the field. Common state requirements include:
- Completing a basic real estate coursework
- Passing the final exam
- Passing a background check
- State application fee payment
- Being the legal age of 18
Do a Pre-licensing course
A pre-licensing course is an educational requirement for aspiring salespeople that must be completed before they can apply for their license and get started in their careers. Pre-licensing courses are offered by several institutions throughout the U.S. and provide students with the foundation of knowledge they need to understand the principles of real estate. All states have different pre-licensing requirements, so check your state’s licensing requirements before registering for a course.
How Does a Pre-licensing Course Work?
The length of the real estate salesperson course varies from state to state, but most are at least 75 hours long. Courses may be taken online, at real estate schools, or at community colleges and universities. Courses must be completed within a certain time period prior to submitting an application for licensure, which means that students must pass the exam within one year of completing the training program.
Do a Licensing Exam
Before you start selling properties, you will need to complete several hours of training. Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll need to take the state real estate exam in order to obtain your salesperson license. The real estate licensing exam varies from state to state, but generally, it will include multiple-choice questions about topics like:
- Real property law
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Agency law
- Fair housing laws and regulations
- Contracts of sale
- Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons Act
Do a Background Check
You must provide proof that you are free of criminal activity and are of good character. To do so, you must submit a complete criminal record check. If you have been convicted or found guilty, you may still be able to get your license depending on the circumstances. In some cases, they might deny your application.
Have Your Real-Estate License Activated
Once you get your real estate license, you have to work on getting it activated. Activating your real-estate license means you are legally allowed to start practicing as a realtor.
Who Activates Your Real-Estate License?
To activate your real-estate license, you may be required to apply through the state where you took your course. Others may require you to go through their local board. Local boards are independent of state regulations, and they require their own set of regulations before you can activate your license.
Join a Brokerage
A real estate brokerage (also called an office) is an independent business that can be considered an intermediary between sellers and buyers of real estate. In addition to helping clients buy, sell and rent properties, brokerages can also offer services like appraisals, property management, and development.
To sell real estate, you need somewhere to sell it. Brokerages handle the paperwork, provide training and connect agents with clients. You’ll split commissions with them, but they do the heavy lifting that lets you focus on selling houses or apartments.
A good brokerage can help your career in several ways. The best brokerages offer mentorship programs, so you can learn from experienced agents and get advice. A good brokerage will also provide useful training for new agents — covering everything from how to establish your brand to how to buy and sell properties on your own.
If you’re looking for a rewarding career, real estate could be the perfect fit for you. You will help people make some of the biggest financial and life decisions of their lives. Selling real estate is exciting and demanding. So if you’re ready to take on the challenge, now is the time.
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