Unlock an Incredible Career as a Real Estate Agent - Here's How! | Home Jobs by MOM (2024)

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Unlock an Incredible Career as a Real Estate Agent - Here's How! | Home Jobs by MOM (1)

There are a variety of different career paths anyone in real estate can consider pursuing, but among the most popular is that of the path of a real estate agent. Currently, there are over 1.6 million active real estate license holders in the United States, going to show the prominence of this career path.

Learning everything there is to know about the career path of a real estate agent can help a person determine if this is the path for them.

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?

To those unfamiliar with the field, a real estate agent is a professional who facilitates the purchase process of real estate between a buyer and a seller.

The real estate agent represents one of these two parties and assists the two parties with the negotiation process and the entire sales process. Real estate agents are most often paid on a commission basis, meaning their livelihood is quite literally in their own hands.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Real Estate Agent?

Becoming a real estate agent can vary drastically from a timeline perspective depending on the state a person lives in, but the average length of time is anywhere from 3-6 months.

This timeline can move in either direction depending on a person’s specific situation, such as whether or not they are pursuing the career path full-time or part-time while juggling duties associated with a day job.

The Process of Becoming a Real Estate Agent

Learning how to become a real estate agent is relatively simple, but that doesn’t mean the process will be easy.

First and foremost, a person must wait until they are at least 18 years old before they begin the application process. This doesn’t mean they can’t start the educational requirements already. Those requirements are as follows:

Enroll in three courses: Real Estate Practice, Real Estate Principles, and one course from the following:

  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate Appraisal
  • Real Estate Economics
  • Real Estate Office Administration
  • Property Management
  • Legal Aspects of Real Estate
  • General Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Escrows
  • Computer Applications in Real Estate
  • Common Interest Developments

After passing each of the above courses and their associated final exams, a person can sign up for the actual salesperson exam that all agents are required to take in order to receive their license. This exam is a three-hour and 150 multiple choice question exam that requires a 70% in order to pass.

How Much Does a Real Estate Agent Make?

On average, a real estate agent earns just shy of $7,000 per month in the United States, though this figure is also based on the average state.

In states with more expensive real estate, such as California or New York, the average monthly salary may increase drastically, considering agents are paid on a commission basis. However, being in these states is a double-edged sword due to the cut-throat nature of real estate in these popular states.

Tips for Building Your Book as a Real Estate Agent

Once you have acquired a real estate license, the journey is far from over. In fact, it is just beginning.

The hardest part of being a real estate agent is not the lead-up to getting a license. Rather it is the actual process of building your book. This process requires networking intensely with those in your field, but so much more as well.

Utilize the following tips to set yourself up for the best chance of success during your journey:

  • Start by networking with your own inner circle to see if anyone requires your assistance
  • Reach out to your local community who already know your name
  • Find a mentor in the industry who can assist you and potentially help you get started
  • Educate yourself on anything and everything to do with real estate

Grow your real estate business today

Growing a real estate business will not be an easy task and will likely require a large amount of dedication and willpower to succeed. However, with the right mindset, anybody can build their book and grow their network.

Once this ball begins to roll, there will be no stopping it for the most tenacious real estate agents in the country. To join this group, seek out an accredited mentor who can show you the ropes regarding everything to do with real estate.

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Unlock an Incredible Career as a Real Estate Agent - Here's How! | Home Jobs by MOM (2024)

FAQs

Why moms make great realtors? ›

Moms know how to multitask

Multitasking is a must-have skill for parents and real estate agents, and having the ability to focus on several things at once is a critical asset for both roles. With kids, getting them out the door and on the bus to school can be a daily juggling battle.

How to balance being a realtor and a mom? ›

The MOMpreneur Life: Balancing Real Estate and Motherhood
  1. Tip 1: Lean on Your Support System. This goes for both home and work life. ...
  2. Tip 2: Pre-Plan. The holy grail when it comes to working moms. ...
  3. Tip 3: Prioritize. To feel well-rounded and at peace with yourself. ...
  4. Tip 4: Know When to Say, NO! ...
  5. Tip 5: Stay Connected.
May 18, 2023

What is the best age to start a real estate career? ›

But it's the advantages of being in your 30s and 40s — the ability to secure credit, the professional influence, a work experience that can reduce the small-business learning curve — that makes starting a real estate career at this time an often perfect choice. This all depends on what your exact financial goals are.

Why do I love being a real estate agent? ›

I have the opportunity to work with a lot of different people with different backgrounds, different interests, different income levels, and different needs. I love getting to know each individual; I love building rapport with each individual; I love earning the trust of each individual.

Why are real estate agents so rich? ›

The majority of real estate agents in the United States work solely off of commission. So, instead of getting paid hourly or weekly, they receive a portion of the home's sale price after closing. Some receive a salary from their agency along with a commission. Real estate commissions are negotiable.

What do most realtors struggle with? ›

Here are five of the biggest challenges real estate agents encounter on their road to success – and how to overcome them.
  1. Market Fluctuations. Nothing stays the same in real estate. ...
  2. Fierce Competition. ...
  3. Long Hours. ...
  4. Time Management.
Nov 18, 2023

Is real estate agent stressful? ›

As a real estate agent, you may be on long calls and expected to work long hours. You must be able to handle stress to successfully sell homes. Your personal life will suffer if it is not properly managed.

What type of personality should a real estate agent have? ›

An Engaging Personality

A good real estate agent doesn't just sell properties – they sell themselves. It's important to show your real personality. People will respond to you if you have a great attitude, are personable and honest, have confidence in your abilities, and are interested in helping them and others.

Is 30 too old to start real estate? ›

You're never too old for a new beginning! You'll find that the real estate world is full of people who are willing to help you reach your goals. We also have plenty of resources that are geared toward helping you get started. Click here to read our blog that outlines how to network with other real estate agents.

Is 30 too late to start real estate? ›

In conclusion, it's never too late to start investing in real estate. Regardless of your age or stage in life, real estate investing can provide you or your business with opportunities for financial growth and security.

What age is the youngest real estate agent? ›

(Usually must be 18 years of age, be able to pass a background check, and have a high school diploma or GED) Complete the required Pre-Licensing coursework for your state and pass the exams.

Do real estate agents need to be attractive? ›

A recent study of physical attractiveness and how it impacts real estate brokers' pay and productivity shows that the more attractive the real estate agent, the higher the listing price of the home for sale.

Do you have to be attractive to be a successful real estate agent? ›

Beyond gender, attractiveness is also associated with a higher final sale price for a house, and attractive listing agents had twice as large an effect on house prices as that of attractive selling agents. As with gender, though, the attractiveness of a selling agent did not impact the listing time for a home.

What are the pros and cons of being a real estate agent? ›

The Pros and Cons of a Real Estate Career
  • Pro #1. Achieving Freedom. ...
  • Pro #2. Feeling Responsible. ...
  • Pro #3. Being Respected. ...
  • Pro #4. Excitement. ...
  • Con #1. Having Nothing to Do. ...
  • Con #2. Doing the Wrong Things. ...
  • Con #3. Weird Working Hours. ...
  • Con #4. Irregular Income.

Are attractive real estate agents more successful? ›

And even though attractive agents may command higher selling prices, they do not necessarily outperform their less attractive counterparts; though their homes may sell for more, they also sell fewer properties, and the final sale totals balance out.

Why are there so many female realtors? ›

In fact, when NAR itself was founded in 1908, its membership was 100% male. Then, with the increase of women entering the workforce, there was a draw to real estate specifically due to its flexible work hours and high earning potential.

Why do real estate agents have a bad reputation? ›

A central factor in the unfavorable reputation of realtors is the perceived lack of transparency. Clients sometimes harbor the notion that real estate agents withhold essential information to facilitate swift transactions. This perceived opacity can breed mistrust and skepticism among both buyers and sellers.

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