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Entering the real estate profession appeals to lots of people, but it is not a job you can just walk into without any education or training.
Here is a look at the steps you will have to take to become a fully licensed agent, as well as some of the considerations to keep in mind as you gear up to start your studies.
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Basic educational expectations
First off, it is worth noting that while you do not need to have a college-level degree to embark on a career in real estate, it can help you appeal to prospective employers and clients when you are looking to get your foot in the door of the industry.
Furthermore, if your degree is in a relevant subject, such as finance or business, then it will be even more desirable, even if it is not technically mandatory. You can even specifically study real estate in an academic context if you wish, and this may be especially helpful to those who are already set on becoming an agent early on.
Regional licensing
The second hurdle to overleap is that of licensing, which differs from state to state in terms of the qualification requirements and the rules as to where you should study.
For example, if you want to become a real estate professional in Texas, you will need to attend an accredited school that is recognized by the regional real estate board. Each state has its own unique take on real estate licensing, so check this thoroughly and remember that if you want to move states, you will likely need to reapply for a license.
In general, you can expect the training process at this point to involve a combination of real estate courses and a final exam, the passing of which will allow you to apply for your license. This license is still issued by mail, but once you have it any employers and clients will be able to quickly search online to see whether or not you have it.
Entering the real estate profession appeals to lots of people but requires education training. Here are the steps you will have to take to become a fully licensed agent, as well as some of the considerations to keep in mind.Click To Tweet
Learning on the job
Even after you have leaped over the hurdles and become a licensed real estate agent, you will still have a lot to learn as your career gets underway.
This is something which plenty of agencies appreciate, which is why some offer further training to employees so that they are up to speed with the more intricate aspects of the industry, while also giving them the potential to progress further down the line. This is not a universal perk, however, so it is worth asking about in any job interview so that you know where you stand with a particular employer.
It is also possible for rookie real estate agents to get advice and guidance from more experienced members of the team, whether in the form of a formal mentorship program or in an informal manner. Again, this is not a given, so consider your options carefully as you decide where you want to work.
Expanding your horizons
The final thing to think about when looking into a career in real estate is that if you become an agent, you can also develop skills that are applicable in other fields, should you decide to make a change in the future.
Re-training to work in areas such as property finance and insurance, for example, is not uncommon for people in this profession.
Ultimately you need to find the path that is right for you, and there is a lot of variety and excitement in real estate, as well as a lot of tough paperwork and sales expectations. For some people, this will be the ideal combination.
