What Do You Need To Know To Become A Lawyer – Starting a career as a real estate agent is an attractive and exciting prospect for all professionals – from the fresh graduate completing their first career to the current working person looking to make a change. While there is no set path to becoming a real estate agent, there are certain activities, costs, milestones, and considerations that every aspiring agent experience involves. To help you get a feel for the process, we’ve put together a guide that gives you some context about the typical timeline, fees, questions, coursework, steps, activities, and strategies involved in becoming a real estate agent. Let’s dive in. How long does it take to become a real estate agent? How much does it cost to be a real estate agent? Why should I become a real estate agent? Should I be a real estate agent? Steps to becoming a real estate agent How to become a successful real estate agent How long does it take to become a real estate agent? There is no single, definitive answer to this question. It depends on various factors, including your location. States have specific requirements that determine how long it takes to get a real estate license. Personal availability is another key component of how long the process will take. Typically, obtaining a real estate license involves 60 to 90 hours of formal education, as well as studying and sitting for the licensing exam. If you have the flexibility to devote all your time to getting your real estate license, the process will be easier than if you were pursuing a career in real estate. Generally speaking, it usually takes three to six months to become a licensed agent, but the process doesn’t end there. After you get your license, most states require you to find a real estate broker to sponsor you for your first two to three years as an agent—another component that doesn’t have a specific timeline. How long it takes to find a brokerage firm that will accept you depends largely on your availability. If you only want to work as a part-time agent, the process can be a bit more difficult and lengthy – as many brokers are wary of hiring agents who are bound to earn less than their full-time counterparts. You may also complete additional training related to the brokerage you’re joining, the type of real estate you’re looking for, and state requirements. For example, you can choose a national franchise, a local or boutique brokerage, or even a virtual brokerage for your first real experience—each with unique benefits and requirements. The amount of time it takes to train and get you up to speed before becoming a fully independent agent depends on the broker you choose, but you’ll want to plan on spending at least six months to a year in the training program. So how long does it take to become a real estate agent? Maybe one to three years at least. How much does it cost to be a real estate agent? As you might guess—given the amount of training and continuing education required to crack the industry—starting a career in real estate isn’t free. So once you’ve set your sights on becoming an agent, you’re probably wondering how much money you need to save to get started. As we mentioned, individual states require different levels of training, so the cost of becoming a licensed real estate agent varies by location. It also depends on the field of education you choose. In most cases, you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,200. This includes your education, license application fees, fingerprinting and background check fees, as well as state licensing exam fees, but you’ll probably need to rely on savings once you become an agent. If you’re working for a commission-free brokerage, you may have to rely on savings before you close your first deal. To play it safe, you’ll want to have enough savings to pay you back six months to a year — at least enough until you’ve established yourself as an agent and made enough deals to survive. One alternative is to look for a brokerage that pays a salary rather than a commission, or consider taking on side gigs until you’re comfortable with your real estate earnings. Why should I become a real estate agent? There are many reasons why you might want to consider a career as a real estate agent. First, this field offers more flexibility than others—real estate is not a 9-5 office gig. You make your own schedule. I am KW Real Estate Schools, Inc. I spoke with CEO Tessa Sims to find out about the benefits of being a real estate agent. He told me, “A career in real estate is an ideal choice for many people, perhaps because of its flexibility. You can work from home or in the office. You can fly solo or be part of a team. You can work for others or others. make it work for you. You can create a schedule that fits your lifestyle and choose both your clients and your niche. You can make a decent living or build a very profitable business. The possibilities are endless.” To be successful as a real estate agent, you’ll want to make sure you’re available for showings during peak hours, which often include nights and weekends. Still, a career as a real estate agent can be a great way to take a week off for a vacation or drop your kids off at school. But as Rich Cawley, president of United Multi Family Real Estate Brokerage in Massachusetts, points out, job flexibility doesn’t mean fewer hours than a traditional 9-to-5 job. As Cawley says, “There are good incomes and it can be a successful career, but the best agents I know are always available for their clients. Especially with all the technology we have now, whether clients want to communicate via text or phone, real estate agents never fired.” “So while the benefits are certainly the flexibility of scheduling, you have to love connecting with people because that’s a big part of the job.” Personal involvement is one of the potential appeals of real estate. you can’t help sell. If you want to understand the needs and interests of your clients, you need to connect directly with them. Real estate is a very interesting, personal industry – making it the perfect lane for people who like to connect with others. Success in real estate is often dependent on individual enthusiasm and dedication, and its most One of the interesting aspects is related to the income potential. There are no real salary caps in a real estate career—because your take-home pay is commission-based, what you put into real estate directly affects what you get out of it. A few other key benefits of being a real estate agent include: The ability to see really cool, interesting properties The flexibility to work from home — it’s not a job that requires you to be in the office all day. There is no dress code. Be Your Own Boss You don’t need a college degree, but a career in real estate is not without its potential drawbacks. To give you a full picture of what you’re getting into, it’s worth briefly going over some of the disadvantages of the field. First, the flexibility we talked about isn’t always in your favor. Since it’s not a traditional 9-to-5, you’ll likely work more hours than you would in an office, especially since you’re working out of commission. Real estate activities often take place after hours. Shows are usually at night or on weekends, so you may need to adjust to a unique work schedule that doesn’t fit your ideal lifestyle. A career in real estate also means sacrificing some stability. You can’t count on steady income as an agent. Your financial success in a given month can depend on many factors beyond your control, including the health of the housing market and other broader economic conditions. Real estate agents should also be prepared to handle particularly volatile incomes. You can’t expect to make the same amount every month as a salaried position—which means budgeting and saving will be important during slower seasons. Finally, it is important to consider the emotional aspect of work. Buying and selling a home is a wonderful thing
