i finished my real estate course now what

by Shayne Thompson 3 min read

You may be wondering, “I passed my real estate exam — now what?” After you get your real estate license, it's time to look for a broker to partner with. A broker is an important player in the real estate agency.

Once you have completed the 6 required courses, you will need to submit your license application, application fee, and class completion certificates to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

Full Answer

How long does it take to complete a RealReal estate Express course?

Real Estate Express allows you six months from your registration date to access and complete your course. In states with multiple courses, students receive six months for each course.

What to do after you pass your real estate exam?

6 steps to take after you pass your real estate exam Step 1: Find a sponsoring broker who is a good fit. In real estate, brokers are almost always agents with years of... Step 2: Engage in professional organizations. There are countless professional organizations within real estate that can... Step ...

How to become a successful real estate realtor?

Having a budget from the start of your career is one of the most incredible things you can do to set yourself up for future success. Depending on the kind of real estate you are looking to specialize in, consider your projected annual revenue in your calculations as well.

Why should I take the real estate license exam?

The license exam ensures that you know what you need to know to be a sales agent. But a real estate agent is more than just a salesperson. As you know from your pre licensing course, the licensing exam is just the beginning. Now you have continuing education, marketing, and networking.

What to do after you get your real estate license in Florida?

6 steps to take after you pass your real estate examStep 1: Find a sponsoring broker who is a good fit. ... Step 2: Engage in professional organizations. ... Step 3: Build your professional profile. ... Step 4: Set a timeline for yourself. ... Step 5: Budget for future plans. ... Step 6: Seek advice from other real estate professionals.

How do I get my Florida real estate license?

The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) requires completion of the following steps in order to receive a Real Estate Salesperson License in Florida.Complete 63 Hours of Approved Education.Pass the Course Final Exam.Submit Fingerprints.Complete the Licensing Application.Pass the Florida Real Estate Exam.

What do you do after you pass the real estate exam in Illinois?

Once you have taken and passed the exam you are ready to fill out the Illinois Reciprocity Application. You will also need to request your Certified Licensure History from the state(s) in which you hold a real estate license. Refer to the regulatory agency for your state.

How long does it take to get a real estate Licence in Texas?

Texas students are required to take 180 hours of Pre-Licensing coursework to become a licensed real estate agent. These 180 hours are broken down into six 30-hour courses that cover a wide range of topics that will educate the candidate and prepare them for their career.

How much do Realtors make in Florida?

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in Florida? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, reported the average income of real estate agents in Florida ranges from $24,856 to $162,283. These earnings vary depending on location, experience, specialty, and average hours worked.

How hard is the real estate exam in Florida?

How Hard is the Florida Real Estate Exam? Generally speaking, the pass rate for the Florida real estate exam is between 50-60%. By comparison, the average driving test pass rate is 45.8% in the US. So while the test may be difficult and meticulous, you will be able to pass it if you prepare and study accordingly.

Which state has the hardest real estate exam?

ColoradoColorado is regarded as the hardest state since agents need to cover 160 hours of education, pass two tests, pass a background check, and be fingerprinted. In contrast, most other states require less than 100 education hours, with the majority falling with the 40-hour requirement.

How much does a realtor make in Illinois?

The average salary for a realtor is $99,327 per year in Illinois. 119 salaries reported, updated at June 16, 2022.

Do Realtors make a lot of money?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average real estate agent earns $45,990 each year, but the range in income is massive. One-tenth of real estate agents earned less than $23,000, and 10% earned more than $110,000.

How much do Realtors in Texas make?

The average salary for a real estate agent is $104,062 per year in Texas. 3.5k salaries reported, updated at June 17, 2022.

Do real estate courses expire in Texas?

Once you have earned your Real Estate license, you will need to renew every two years by completing additional Continuing Education classes and paying a renewal fee to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

How hard is real estate?

Earning a living selling real estate is hard work. You have to be organized in order to keep track of legal documents, meetings, and all the tasks that go into multiple listings. You may go without a paycheck for periods of time because the work is often commission-based. If you don't sell, you don't earn anything.

How much money can a new real estate agent expect to make?

A real estate agent makes as much money as they are willing to work for, which makes it very hard to say. Most real estate agents will make on aver...

What are the biggest mistakes a real estate agent may make?

Why do most people fail as agents? It's because they don't anticipate how much work being an agent takes. Your school and license should be the eas...

What's the difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent?

A real estate agent is anyone who has a license to help people perform real estate transactions, both buying and selling. A Realtor is someone who...

What skills should a real estate agent have?

A real estate agent must be confident and personable. They must be willing to work hard, and they must communicate well with people. Today, most re...

Step 1: Find a sponsoring broker who is a good fit

In real estate, brokers are almost always agents with years of experience and a broker’s license. When you’re just getting started in your career, it helps to tap into the knowledge and network of someone who has worked in the region in which you’re looking to do real estate transactions.

Step 2: Engage in professional organizations

There are countless professional organizations within real estate that can help real estate professionals connect, network and increase their knowledge of the field. A simple Google search can usually yield a plethora of state-wide real estate organizations to become a part of and there are a few national organizations to consider as well.

Step 3: Build your professional profile

As real estate agents and brokers start somewhere, so there’s never a better time than the present to start building your professional profile. Creating a website, social media presence, getting professional portraits taken and attending local events to establish a rapport with residents of a given city are all great steps to take.

Step 4: Set a timeline for yourself

In real estate, if you’re not selling property, you’re not making money. As you’re getting started in your career, it can be beneficial to set a timeline for the things you’d like to accomplish.

Step 5: Budget for future plans

As you see the trajectory of your career goals unfold, it’s a good idea to start budgeting accordingly. Based on the kind of real estate you’re looking to get involved in, consider what your projected annual revenue would be. After you’ve established an ideal salary, think about the work environment that would make you most comfortable.

Step 6: Seek advice from other real estate professionals

Every real estate professional has their own journey through the industry, but it can help to get advice from people with a bit more experience. Seeking out individuals with knowledge of the specific market or niche in which you’re planning to work can help you catch idiosyncrasies of the market that you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.

Create a Timeline

In real estate, if you don't sell property, you won't generate any income. During the early stages of your career, it is crucial to set a timeline for everything you want to achieve. Create your timeline to cover specific goals that can be achieved in both the short- and long-term periods.

Establish a Budget

Having a budget from the start of your career is one of the most incredible things you can do to set yourself up for future success. Depending on the kind of real estate you are looking to specialize in, consider your projected annual revenue in your calculations as well.

Build a Professional Online Presence

Creating a website is crucial, but your work doesn’t stop there. In today's highly competitive business environment, having a professional (and active) presence on social media will set you apart from other agents and help potential clients find you.

Network with Other Real Estate Professionals

There are myriads of professional organizations within real estate to help you connect, network, and increase the knowledge you have of the industry. Ask industry professionals for advice so that you can learn firsthand from their experience of becoming an established agent and what they may have done differently as a new agent.

Join a Brokerage

You will need to join a brokerage firm first before you are allowed to take on the property world. State law outlines that newly licensed real estate agents must work under the guidance, tutelage, and protection of a real estate broker.

What is a broker in real estate?

In real estate, brokers are almost always agents with years of experience and a broker’s license. When you’re just getting started in your career, it helps to tap into the knowledge and network of someone who has worked in the region in which you’re looking to do real estate transactions. You can think of a broker as both your partner and your boss, as they’ll help you maneuver through the beginning of your journey as a real estate agent in exchange for a commission split. The price of the properties being bought or sold through a brokerage determines the commission amount, but usually, brokers calculate their cut based off of a flat fee or commission split.

Is it good to have a timeline when selling real estate?

In real estate, if you’re not selling property, you’re not making money . As you’re getting started in your career, it can be beneficial to set a timeline for the things you’d like to accomplish. Whether you choose to outline your ideal first five years or would rather keep things shorter term by planning the first year of your professional career, creating a timeline can be a good way to keep yourself accountable for success.

1. Find the right brokerage

When you’re just starting out, you may be looking for the smallest possible commission split and the lowest possible fees. However, you’ll find that those brokerages may offer less support, training, and mentoring than you need when you’re first launching your business.

2. Start marketing, like, yesterday

There’s no point in knowing everything about real estate math if you don’t have any clients. Marketing and lead generation is job one for most real estate agents for several years as they establish a reputation. If you’re starting on a shoestring, focus on free resources like social media and content creation.

3. Learn your CRM

Begin gathering names, phone numbers, street addresses, email addresses, and social media handles for your sphere of influence, then spend as much time as possible recording them in your CRM. Learn how to send emails, texts, and other communications to your sphere, optimizing their design and delivery for maximum results.

4. Learn your transaction management system

Work with someone in your brokerage and walk through the documents and processes required for all of the following:

5. Practice guiding clients through documents

Print out copies of all of the contracts, contingencies, and other documents that you’ll use with buyers and sellers. Read them and make sure that you know how to fill out every single blank and explain every detail to your clients.

6. Find a mentor

Your brokerage may have a mentorship program to match you with an experienced agent in your office in return for a share of your commission. Alternatively, you may have a friend or family member who is an experienced agent and is willing to help you through your first few transactions.

7. Educate yourself

Read books. Find coaches on YouTube. Sign up for online classes through your association and attend brokerage meetings and trainings. Listen to reputable podcasts. You should always be expanding your knowledge and learning the latest tools and techniques so that you can be more effective and successful.

How long is the GRI course?

The GRI course is broken up into three four-day courses (finance, brokerage and marketing) for 12 days total . You will learn about the Code of Ethics, contracts, good business practices and everything else that you actually need to know to be a good agent. It is not cheap — about $325 per course, $1,000 or so total.

What does it mean to start a website early?

It does mean having your own site, hosted on a platform such as WordPress, Placester or Websitebox. Even if you don’t have the tools or resources to pour into an online strategy at this moment, starting a website early has tremendous advantages when coming to SEO (search engine optimization).

Join the MLS

The second thing you should do after you get your real estate license is join the Multiple Listing Service (MLS.)

Create a Website

Once you have access to the MLS, the next step is a real estate website.

Dress Like a Professional

Now, this might seem obvious, but you would be surprised at some people’s attire.

image