How to Become a Real Estate Agent

If you’ve ever thought of launching a career in real estate, there are a few things you should know at the outset so you can start off on the right foot. These five common questions will help you make an educated decision as to whether or not this field is right for you.

What’s it like to work in real estate?

As with any career, there are both advantages and challenges when working in the real estate profession and it helps to know what you’re getting into as you pursue a license in real estate. Here’s a realistic look at what it might be like should you choose to work as a real estate agent:/p>

  • 1. Work flexible hours.

    Many agents appreciate having the option of working their real estate business largely from their own home. Real estate salespeople can fit the office work into whatever hours they choose on any given day. However, in real estate, your busiest windows of time will usually be when your clients are available, which could fall on weekends and in the evenings. On occasion, your holidays can also be spent out with clients showing properties. Many agents think of themselves as being “on call” throughout the week and are prepared to head out to assist a client at a moment’s notice.

  • 2. Find just the right home for your client.

    There’s a lot of satisfaction that comes from knowing it was your expertise that led a client to finding the perfect home. Many agents enjoy having the ability to get people into homes they would otherwise have a hard time being able to see. Buying a new home is stressful, so as a real estate agent, your calm demeanor, expertise, and knowledge can make all the difference for your clients. Many agents find fulfillment in helping their clients make one of the biggest decisions of their lifetimes.

  • 3. Unlimited income potential.

    Working in real estate can be a lucrative line of work, and many agents are making six-figure incomes each year. That won’t happen automatically though, so new agents should be prepared to hustle a bit in the beginning. Any seasoned real estate agent will tell you that your commissions will not flow predictably or regularly into your bank account when first starting out. With more experience, however, you’ll develop a robust client base and demand higher commissions. Working with a reputable brokerage is a great place to start to ensure fair commission splits.

Who can apply for a real estate license?

The general criteria for being able to pursue your license is that you be at least 18 years of age, that you have citizenship in the United States, and that you have obtained your high school diploma or GED.

How long does it take to get licensed?

There are multiple steps to becoming a real estate agent and those steps will vary from state to state. No matter where you live, however, you’ll be required to take real estate classes from an approved real estate school to prepare you for the mandatory real estate exam. Mbition is one such school and offers multiple package options created by industry leaders to ensure your success as you seek licensure. These in-depth courses provide you with personalized study tools and ongoing support from top-notch instructors who are committed to offering technical assistance and to ensuring you know the latest when it comes to real estate practices in your area. These real estate classes have helped thousands of students like yourself to successfully navigate each step along the way. Once you’ve passed your state’s exam, you may apply for your license. Regardless of which state you live in, you’ll need mentoring from a qualifying real estate broker as you make your way forward in this field.

Obtaining a real estate license takes far less time than it would take to get a degree, and can generally be accomplished within a year, depending on how you choose to pace yourself. The length of time also depends on how many hours of coursework your state mandates, as well as whether or not you take your real estate classes online at your own pace and at your convenience, or if you’re in a classroom setting. The best way to answer this question with certainty would be to inquire with a real estate brokerage or fellow agent within your area.

Should you choose to get your education from an online platform as most students choose to do, Mbition is here to help. Leading real estate experts have compiled real estate classes that are both relevant and engaging. Considering we’ve helped thousands of students successfully hurdle these steps in the past, we’re sure we can get you started in your real estate career as well.

How much does it cost to get licensed?

Some of the expenses you can expect to incur while pursuing a license are:

  • Your preliminary coursework through a qualifying real estate school
  • Your exam and license application fees
  • Monthly broker fees
  • Yearly renewal fees
  • Continuing educational courses
  • Marketing and business expenses

There is so much variation as to how these expenses are broken down that it’s impossible to tally these expenses up exactly, but as you launch into a career in real estate, you might expect to spend between $1,000-2,000 to become a licensed real estate agent in your area.

To learn more about what licensure looks like in your state, visit the Mbition Dashboard to see what the standards are in your neighborhood.

Where do I start if I’m ready to become a real estate agent?

The first step to take is to learn who your state’s regulating body is for real estate affairs. Track down their official website and learn what the requirements are specific to your area. Decide how you’ll finance this effort and map out a tentative schedule by which you’d like to complete each step.

Mbition takes all of the guesswork out of this often complicated process. We’ve mastered this procedure to prevent further worry on your end. As you take advantage of the premium real estate classes Mbition offers, you’ll find our material has been optimized to fit every learning style imaginable. When you choose Mbition as your real estate school of choice, you’ll benefit from our Real Estate Pre-licensing Solution package that includes premium educational materials you can count on, regardless of which state you’re coming from. This in-depth curriculum comes in three varieties: the Silver, Gold, or Platinum series. All three will provide you with optimal content and exceptional support, while the higher-level packages come with additional study accessories, as well as our guarantee that you’ll pass the state exam on your first try! That means you can take the exam with complete confidence and peace of mind.

We’re also here to meet all of your continuing educational needs by providing you with exceptional curriculum that will keep you abreast of the most current real estate developments. With over 50 years of experience in this field, you can count on Mbition to assist you in obtaining your real estate license in the most professional way possible!