Real estate careers have become more popular in the last two years. According to Harvard Business Review, in the United States alone, from 2020 to 2021, people who obtained a real estate license increased by 60%. Besides this, Google Trends says, “how to start a career in a real estate agency” was the most searched job in 2021, and it is still one of the most sought-after in 2024 as well. This started after millions of people quit their jobs to look for better opportunities.
Why Become a Real Estate Agent?
In many states in the US, you may complete a real estate course and start the career, right after getting a license. Although it varies, it will take you a few months to finish a course and take an exam before you start studying for a licensing examination. Other reasons for becoming an agent include:
- You will be your own boss
- Have a flexible work schedule
- Generate a reasonable income
- Help people with large transactions
What Options Do You Have?
According to Empower Home Team Denver, CO, you can become a real estate agent in various fields. These fields include land, industrial, commercial, and residential real estate.
Kickstart Your Career with These Tips
Being an agent and kickstarting your career is a rewarding and exciting experience. To succeed in this industry, you will have to get things right. To help you start right, the following are tips that can help you:
1. Research and Know the Requirements
Every state has different requirements for becoming an agent. For instance, in New York, an agent should complete about 75 hours of qualifying education and pass both the Department of State and school-administered exams. Some also have a reciprocity agreement with other states. With this, a real estate agent’s license can work in several states without taking additional exams.
2. Enroll in a Course
There are various ways of completing a real-estate course. These options include online courses or taking live classrooms at universities, technical schools, real estate schools, and realty companies. Choose a venue, which makes more sense to you. Whichever option you prefer, ensure you enroll in a school, which has a good reputation and focuses on good student outcomes.
3. Prepare for Exams
After the course, you will take a final exam. Based on the state, you may have to score a particular percentage before you move on to another step. After this exam, you will be ready for your state’s licensing exam.
4. Get Licensed
Many real estate associations provide licensing programs. Normally, these programs have information about the fundamentals of real estate, including selling techniques and state regulations. Every state issues a licensing exam for every aspiring real estate agent. You can take an exam right after finishing your real estate exam and course. To earn this license, you don’t require experience. Once you are done with a final exam, you can start applying for the license at a fee. The licensing fee varies depending on the state.
The bottom line is that real estate is among the most promising careers with great opportunities. The benefits of becoming an agent include a lot of growth opportunities independence and flexibility in managing your schedule.
