So you want to become a realtor...

There are a great deal of questions I receive from future realtors every day. The number one these has to be "I am starting from scratch and I have no idea how to get my license. Because of this, I have decided to write an article on what one should consider when getting their real estate license as well as the steps they may take.

State Licensing And Commissions

Every state has its own licensing process, therefore, it's imperative that you take the time to contact your state's real estate commission and get the truth about licensing procedures. Click on the following link to find a list of all of the state Real Estate Commissions.

You may want to consider the following when you contact your real estate commission as they may have an impact on your enquiry:

• Age requirement (Usually 18 years of age.)
• Residency (Do you live in the state?)
• Clean criminal records (No convictions. Possibly expunged convictions.)
• Education (A set number of hours in real estate training, plus pre-license and final exams.)
• Experience (Sales person experience, college degree, etc.)

Interview Brokerage Firms And Agencies

After you determine your state's laws regarding real estate licensing, you will need to be proactive. Visit real estate offices and brokerage firms. Speak to the top real estate agents in the industry as well as hiring personnel.

Find out what characteristics they look for in the real estate agents they hire: personality, dress, education, degrees, past work-related experience, ethics, morals, etc. Some real estate offices and/or brokerage firms prefer their agents have classroom instruction in business management and finances, plus sales training. Some even prefer their real estate agents to know a second language. Understanding the needs of the company you want to work for (or with) is vital to your success.

Find A Sponsor

Because real estate transactions are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, real estate agents must possess good character qualities, such as trust, loyalty, honesty, and even compassion. Qualities not found on paper. Therefore, many states require real estate agents spend their first few years working under successful real estate brokers. These brokers become the sponsor and attest to the integrity of the real estate agents.

Depending on the state you live in, you may need to find a real estate office or brokerage firm to sponsor you. Contact your real estate commission to find out if this is a necessary step.

Get Your License

Once you've found a sponsoring broker (*If necessary for your state), you will have to take a number of real estate courses. Depending on time restraints and needs, an online course may be the best way to go.

Online programs offer a level of convenience and flexibility that's missing in a traditional classroom setting. With an online program, students can learn any time, day or night, according to their schedules. Many online programs, including the License Professor's online courses, offer students the ability to take their quizzes and/or exams online and receive instant results. It's a convenient, time-saving way to train for a new career.

Do not be flustered if you find these course difficult. If they were too easy, everyone would get their license. The best way to find success when approaching these courses is by purchasing an online study guide such as the License Professor.

Sell Your First Property

Once you become a licensed real estate agent, it's time to get to work. With no clients, commissions can be sparse. You must start off at the bottom and work your way up. It is likely that you will spend the first six months of your real estate career doing other salespeople's dirty work. It is all about perseverance.

Tips For The Up And Coming Realtor

• Don't quit your day job. At least not until you have a minimum of six months salary in living expenses set aside and a year's medical insurance paid in advance.
• Get organized. Keep a database of leads, clients, and sales. Know when home inspections should be schedules, paperwork filed, etc.
• Learn time management skills. Not only should you be on time to all meetings, but you must make sure your paperwork is turned in on time, or it could cost you a sale and your client, his/her home.
• Be flexible. Your clients work full-time jobs. Those jobs restrict their viewing and showing times to after-hours and week-ends. Unless you've built up a really good trust factor, your clients are not going to allow you into their houses when they aren't home.
• Develop patience. Don't rush your clients off the phone, or look distracted when meeting them in person. Your clients are dealing with one of the biggest purchases of their lives and they need your compassion and patience to make the right decision for them-not you.
• Become a strong marketer. Plan and execute with precision.
• Learn to network. Whether you are in a checkout line at the supermarket, a Bulls game, or a Chamber of Commerce business function, building a strong network is vital. Word of mouth speaks louder than any advertising you could ever pay for.

Posted by Matt Wilson on Nov 22, 2006