If you’re looking for a new career to propel you into the next phase of your life, the title of “real estate agent” should be at the top of your list. It’s a rewarding career that checks almost every box. Could it be a good fit for you?
Top Reasons to Become a Real Estate Agent
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People are drawn to real estate for a variety of reasons, but here are several of the top benefits:
- Unlimited income earning potential. How many careers truly give you an opportunity to earn whatever you want? While some agents make you just a few thousand dollars per year as a side hustle, other agents make healthy six- and seven-figure salaries. It’s simply a matter of how hard (and how much) you’re willing to work.
- Set your own hours. As a real estate agent, you don’t have a boss telling you when you have to come into the office or how many properties you have to sell. You set your own hours, choose your own clients, and work when you want.
- Work with different people. Are you someone who gets tired of working with the same three or four people 40 hours a week for years on end? In real estate, you get to work with different people on a daily basis. This includes homeowners, buyers, inspectors, lenders, and other agents. Many of these people will become great friends.
- No college degree is required. Unlike other jobs that require an extensive four-year degree (or even a graduate degree), there’s no education requirement to be an agent. As long as you follow the correct steps of getting licensed, you’re able to start immediately.
These are just some of the many benefits of being a real estate agent. Truth be told, every person has their own specific reasons for getting into this career. But when it’s all said and done, most people love being an agent. It’s flexible, rewarding, and highly engaging work that makes you feel like you’re playing a meaningful role in the lives of those in your community. If that gets you excited, then you might consider becoming a real estate agent.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent
Now that you know why becoming a real estate agent is such a good idea, let’s explore the how. And, believe it or not, it’s a pretty simple process. Check it out:
Step 1: Take an Online Real Estate Course
In order to become a practicing real estate agent, you must obtain your license. And while you don’t need a college degree in order to be a real estate agent, you must pass certain coursework and exams.
The first step is to take an online real estate license course for your state. So, if you’re located in California, you’ll need to take a California real estate license course. Depending on the state, your course will require anywhere from 100 to 150 hours of education. Thankfully, these courses are inexpensive.
Step 2: Pass the Exams
Finishing a licensing education course is just the first step. You’ll need to use the knowledge acquired from the course material to pass the state exam. Doing so is a prerequisite to becoming licensed.
Once you pass the exam, it’s simply a matter of getting a background check, paying a small fee, and signing off on a few documents.
Step 3: Find a Broker
Armed with your license, the final step of the process is to find a broker to hang it with. This is a mandatory requirement. (You can’t legally represent buyers or sellers without having a broker represent you.)
It’s fairly easy to find a broker. In fact, your mailbox will fill up with letters from brokers trying to recruit you. The key is to look for a good fit. You want someone who is going to provide some training and assistance as you get started. However, you don’t want someone who is going to try to control your schedule. Flexibility is very important!
Putting it All Together
There are very few careers in the world where you can make this much money and not have to spend years of your working life in school obtaining a specific degree. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a real estate agent – it could be your next big thing!