what course to study to become a real estate agent

by Dr. Eloise Brekke 4 min read

How to become a real estate agent Take a real estate pre-licensing course Take the real estate licensing exam

Education and Training
In most cases, you don't require a college degree to become a real estate agent, but it does help potential career job seekers stay competitive and relevant. An associate or bachelor's degree is more than sufficient—perhaps in business, finance, or any other related field.

Full Answer

What classes to take to become a real estate agent?

Here, you can learn about the education required to become a real estate sales agent, the topics covered in pre-licensure classes, and other steps that may be required by your state.

Is a degree required for being a real estate agent?

Mar 13, 2020 · State licensure, job training, and a minimum of a high school education are required to become a real estate agent, though college coursework may expand an agent's career opportunities. These professionals must have strong interpersonal skills, strong persuasion and communication skills, knowledge of state real estate laws, and proficiency in basic computer …

What are the requirements to become a real estate agent?

Apr 09, 2022 · For example, real estate agents and brokers in California need to complete a pre-licensing course that’s a minimum of 135 hours and is …

How to become real estate agent in 5 steps?

How to Become A Real Estate Agent

Still, buying and selling real estate isn't as easy as it might look. And it's a notoriously tough industry for newbies; some real estate experts l...

Step 1: Take A Pre-Licensing Course

Cost: $200 to $300States require people to take pre-licensing training from a certified institution before they can sit for the real estate licensi...

Step 2: Take The Licensing Exam

Cost: $100 to $300Revisit your state real estate commission's website for instructions on how to sign up to take the licensing exam. (Most states o...

Step 3: Get Your Real Estate Ducks in A Row

Pass the test? Congratulations! Here's what you need to do next to start engaging with clients: 1. Activate your license through your state real es...

Step 4: Consider Becoming A REALTOR®

In order to become a full-fledged Realtor®—a licensed agent with the ability to use that widely respected title—you need to be a member of the Nati...

Step 5: Join A Brokerage

In order to become a real estate agent and legally practice real estate, you must work under a supervising broker. Brokers are licensed by the stat...

How many hours of real estate training do I need?

Depending on your state, you must complete between 60 and 90 hours of real estate training to begin. Most real estate classes cover soft skills, such as time management. You also learn real estate basics and discover how to list, price and sell properties.

What do you do when you are a real estate agent?

When you enter a career as a real estate agent, you also show homes to prospective buyers in addition to answering any questions they have. You record offers and show them to the sellers. In some cases, sellers will want your advice on whether they should sell the property or hold onto it for a little longer.

What can I learn from a psychology degree?

You learn the basics of human behavior and why people do the things they do. This degree program covers emotions and the various ways people manage them in their daily lives, providing valuable insights into the human mind. You will even learn about different personality disorders and how to manage them.

What can I learn from a finance degree?

As you study finance, you learn the basics of economics, financial reporting and more. You discover how to predict future market trends and what investments are worth making. You can calculate your spending and predict how much profit you will generate in the following months.

How much does a real estate agent make?

On average, entry-level real estate agents earn about $45,000 per year, which translates to approximately $18.00 per hour depending on how much you work each week. You can advance your career by becoming a real estate broker and earning $55,000 each year.

What is the emphasis of real estate?

Real Estate Studies Emphasis topics include leasing of real estate, sales, and mortgage lending. Gain the technical, business, communication, and management skills to advance your career in the field of real estate and become an effective business leader, studying sales, market analysis, finance, ethics, law, and more.

What do you do when you have agreed on a price?

Once you have agreed on a price, you take pictures of the property that highlight its best features. You then use everything you have collected to promote and sell the home.

What classes do I need to become a real estate agent?

The classes you’ll need to become a real estate agent fall under three general categories: Pre-licensing classes. Exam preparation classes. Post-licensing classes. Continuing Education classes. 1. Pre-licensing courses to take before you become an agent. You’ll want to start your journey to becoming a real estate agent with classes ...

How do I become a real estate agent?

To become a real estate agent, you must take the pre-licensing course no matter what state you live in. The course topics and hours will vary from state to state — but you can research your state’s requirements here by clicking “select your state” from the drop-down menu and then “continue.”. You can also follow a link to your state’s requirements ...

How many hours do I need to get a real estate license in Texas?

Texas real estate license requirements — 180-hour pre-licensing course. Virginia real estate license requirements — 60-hour pre-licenseing course. You can choose to take your course in class or online.

Prepare for Licensure

Brokers only hire real estate agents who have graduated from high school or have a GED. Due to the legal complexity of real estate transactions, agents are required to undergo formal training and gain state licensure in order to work professionally.

Obtain a State License

Every state requires real estate agents to be licensed to ensure that customers are protected from fraud. In order to receive this license, a real estate agent completes a written examination comprised of questions on property laws and real estate transactions.

Obtain Employment

Real estate sales agents will find employment opportunities with real estate brokers. These professionals work to show and sell properties to potential buyers. Commonly working in residential property, real estate agents are responsible for dealing with the complex details of buying and selling property.

Complete Continuing Education

Typically, continuing education is required for the periodic renewal of a state license. Workshops and seminars can serve as continuing education options for agents, so they can stay well-informed about real estate laws and market trends.

How much does it cost to become a real estate agent?

Cost: $200 to $300. States require people to take pre-licensing training from a certified institution before they can sit for the real estate licensing exam. The required number of training hours can vary significantly by jurisdiction: In Virginia, for example, real estate agents must take 60 hours of pre-licensing training, ...

How many questions are asked in the real estate exam?

Both typically consist of 60 to 100 multiple-choice questions, including math questions that require you to use a calculator (e.g., prorating taxes for a specific property).

What is a broker license?

Brokers are licensed by the state to oversee real estate transactions and ensure that real estate salespeople (that’s you!) are adhering to the required legal and ethical standards.Think of it as a similar safeguard to how stockbrokers must work at a licensed firm to trade stocks, rather than just winging it on their own.

How often do you have to take the Florida license exam?

In some states like Florida, 50% fail the first time . The bright side is you can usually take the exam as often as you want over a two-year period. But once two years elapse, applicants are required to retake the pre-licensing course.

Why is membership in MLS important?

Membership in your local MLS is essential, since you must use the system to list properties, which are then dispersed to websites like realtor.com®. The service also enables you to easily pull a property’s tax information, analyze market trends, and see listings before they go on the market.

Who is Daniel Bortz?

broker real estate agent realtor. Daniel Bortz has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Money magazine, Consumer Reports, Entrepreneur magazine, and more. He is also a Realtor in Virginia. Get Pre-Approved Connect with a lender who can help you with pre-approval. I want to buy a home.

Is it easy to sell real estate?

Still, buying and selling real estate isn’t as easy as it might look. And it’s a notoriously tough industry for newbies; some real estate experts like industry vet Tom Ferry estimate that 87% of all new agents fail within the first five years. All of which means you should carefully weigh the risks and rewards of joining this profession.

How long does it take to become a real estate agent?

Depending on state requirements where you live, it can take anywhere from four to six months to become a real estate agent. The timeline will also depend on how long you’ll take to pass the real estate exam and the amount of courses you need to meet your state’s licensing requirements.

What is Real Estate Express?

Real Estate Express offers courses that are both affordable and comprehensive, offering exam prep, accredited pre-licensing courses, and career path information. It’s one of the most affordable options for those looking for career guidance pre- and post-exam.

How many questions are in the online school exam?

The online school's exam prep program is specifically designed for test prep and not the licensing hours. With over 1,000 questions in the test bank, getting a passing score in this program gives students the best indication of whether or not they are ready for the exam.

What is CE Shop?

There’s a reason the company is called CE Shop—it offers one of the highest continuing education courses online. Realtors from all 50 states and DC can access courses for all stages of their careers and their offerings are relevant to what’s happening in the real estate industry.

How much does 360 training cost?

360 Training offers some of the lowest prices with a full pre-licensing course for $119 dollars. Money is saved by skipping exam prep which can also be bought separate for $79. Prices may differ slightly in some states.

What is online test prep?

Online test prep for a real estate license is a review course in preparation for the real estate license test. Every state requires some kind of pre-licensing education to get your real estate license. Online real estate schools may also offer online test prep services, which are different from getting your pre-licensing hours.

What is a CRD?

The Center for Realtor Development (CRD) is an online real estate school for licensed real estate professionals who want to further their careers by taking niche market certifications and designations.

Get more with paid Real Estate Investing courses

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How to Become a Real Estate Agent

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Pre-Licensing Courses to Take Before You Become An Agent

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You’ll want to start your journey to becoming a real estate agent with classes from an accredited real estate licensing school — which is the first thing to focus on when trying to determine “what are the classes I need?” To become a real estate agent, you must take the pre-licensing course no matter what state you live in. Th…
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Exam Preparation Courses

  • Before you head to the testing center to take your licensing exam, many people find it helpful to take an exam preparation class. While the pre-licensing courses satisfy your state’s requirements, an exam preparation coursewill help you study specific material that will be on your test. When searching for the right exam preparation course, look for one that offers a money-back guarante…
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Post-Licensing Courses

  • Some states require you to take additional classes within months of obtaining your license that will prepare you for your first license renewal. These courses typically help you understand new laws and regulations in real estate and assist with your business planning. When you check your state’s full real estate license requirements there should also be a note about post-licensing cou…
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Continuing Education Courses

  • Each state has different rules about the amount of continuing education classes required for reach real estate agent, but it’s important to know that you’ll most likely have to factor in some continuing education each year. So when you’re wondering “what are the classes I need to become a real estate agent?” know that your education goes beyond just getting licensed. To co…
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