How to Become a Real Estate Agent: An 8-Step Guide

If you get a buzz from helping people, and you genuinely enjoy looking at, and learning about a property then becoming a real estate agent is the job for you. Whether you want to sell a residential property or commercial property, you have a flexible earning potential, which potentially could be unlimited.

Residential property is always a market that moves whether steadily or at a fast pace, and the same goes for the commercial market. There are always people wanting to sell and buy property in any shape size or form. Selling real estate is ideal if you love talking to people, there is a chance to meet new and exciting people on a daily basis. Of course, starting as an agent doesn’t mean you have to stay as an agent, find the right brokerage and you will have lots of opportunities for career progression. If ending up as a team leader, or area manager is where you see yourself then starting as an agent is the best move to make.

How to Become One?

Passion and Drive

To start, you have to make sure you are passionate about property. Passion and enthusiasm are essential to succeed in the position, how can you possibly expect to sell something either to the private or commercial market if you are not even remotely excited about it. Next, you have to decide if you see yourself in the private (selling to individual couples or families) market or, if you love looking at commercial property and perhaps have experience in business sales then working with commercial real estate is probably the right route to take. Of course sales experience is highly valuable, but not necessary. To build up your confidence at this stage it would be worth trying to acquire some sales experience if you haven’t got any.

Study Time

Can you make time to study? Ask yourself if you have the time to fit in studying. Studying is necessary and where you can. Options are quite flexible if you need to do this around work or other commitments. Trying to juggle too much can be a recipe for disaster, so try to get help as much help and assistance as you can.

Eligibility

Find out what your state’s eligibility requirements are. Requirements may include age limits, pre-licensing courses, post-licensing requirements, and exam eligibility. State requirements can vary so it is important to check before parting with any money.

Pre-licensing

Sit the pre-licensing exam. This is the most important thing you need to (apart from the study) The exam will need to be taken at an accredited real estate licensing school. 

Licensing Exam

Sit the licensing exam. The 2 part exams are multiple choice-based, and it is important to remember that if you fail either you have the chance to re-sit the exams. Do not put massive pressure on yourself, take your time to study and digest all of the information.

Real estate license

You now have your license – Congratulations. So, at this stage, you will now have your real estate license, have a celebration, and then get back to work as now you need to find work experience, a job, or a work placement.

Land that job

Now you have your license in your hands you now have to land a position. It is important to make your mark and get your foot in the door, to do this you could start in a work experience role or you could put yourself forward for unpaid work in return for experience. At this stage, you will probably be best off targeting a brokerage that either exclusively works in Commercial Real Estate or one that focuses on both areas.

Maintain your license

After gaining your license is it important to maintain your real estate license. To maintain your license you do this by completing any additional studying/education modules and continuing your education. Education varies state by state so once again research local requirements and ensure you complete the education modules/courses as and when required.

When you become a real estate agent you will quickly learn that no two days in the property business are the same, and you wouldn’t want them to be – where is the fun in that? There will be days when there are lots of obstacles to overcome, and days when everything you do just works, but that is all part of the fun and ever-changing world of real estate. If this sounds exciting, interesting, and fun to you then why not go for it, what are you waiting for?