Wondering how to find the best real estate jobs? Are you thinking about becoming a real estate agent?
With the median annual wage for a real estate agent being $60,370 per year and top agents earning over $112,000 per year, becoming a real estate agent can be a great career choice. On top of the attractive salary, real estate agents have interesting day-to-day experiences and get a lot of independence as well.
If you want to learn how to become a real estate agent, we’ll tell you everything you need to know below.
Learn About Your State’s Requirements
The first step to becoming a real estate agent is to make sure that you meet the basic requirements. Basic requirements that you may need to meet for your state include having a high school diploma or a GED, meeting a minimum age requirement, completing coursework, and taking a licensing exam.
Once you know what the requirements are for your state, you can then start taking steps to meet them. Some of the steps to becoming a real estate agent will vary by state, so make sure to learn exactly what to expect.
Complete Coursework
Next, you’ll need to complete coursework at a real estate license school. There are both in-person and online options to choose from and each can be worthwhile.
The exact requirements of the program will vary by state. In most states, you’ll need to complete between 60-75 hours of coursework before you’re eligible to take an exam and get your license.
Pass the Exam
After you complete the coursework at a real estate license school, you’ll need to take a licensing exam for your state.
You’ll need to sign up for a test at a testing center and will need to pay a fee to take the exam. The fee will usually be between $50-$100 and the exam may take between 3-5 hours to complete.
Consider Joining the National Association of Realtors
You should also decide whether you want to become a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) or not.
Joining the NAR can give you a lot of extra support, can help you build your network, and can grant you access to special discounts and benefits. However, you’ll need to think about your choice early on because you can only join if your broker is also a member.
Find a Broker
You’ll need to be affiliated with a broker before applying for a real estate license or getting it activated. You should do your due diligence when looking for a broker and make sure that you find one that’s a good fit.
You’ll need to negotiate a commission split and discuss other fees and policies with them as well. Also, be sure that you find a broker that will offer you training and guidance as a new agent.
Once you’re affiliated with a broker, you can then get to work. Make sure that you present yourself well. You’ll want to ensure that you hire great Headshot photographers to take your real estate agent headshot.
Understanding How to Become a Real Estate Agent
If you’re trying to learn how to become a real estate agent, make sure that you follow the steps above. By meeting the requirements for your state and finding a great broker to become affiliated with, you’ll be well on your way to success as a real estate agent.
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