How to Become a Realtor: 6 Different Steps
Real estate is an industry that is brimming with opportunity. There are several routes to take if you want to maximize your earning potential, and the prospects for making life-long connections with buyers is never-ending. So what does it take to become a successful and professional real estate agent?
Although the path to being a realtor is rather straightforward, you have to ensure that your basics are covered first. This entails allotting the time necessary to complete the steps, while making sure you have the basic finances for fees. The process of how to become a realtor is relatively straightforward, but each stage of the process merits its own examination. Once you have completed all of the steps, you’ll feel an immense sense of relief knowing that the procedure is over.
If this sounds interesting to you as a potential career path, follow these six steps on how to become a realtor:
Step #1: Get Certified as a Realtor
For the preliminary step of how to become a realtor, you’ll need to pursue real estate certification. This means taking the required courses or programs specific to your region, in order to kickstart the real estate certification procedure. Due to each location having different real estate boards and organizations, you’ll have to do some research to find the one closest to you.
This is the only major variance in the steps used in becoming a realtor. Since the rest of the process is streamlined, you’ll have to be able to handle the certification prerequisites before getting into the good stuff. Once these are completed, you are on your own way.
Step #2: Join A Real Estate Brokerage
The second step on how to become a realtor is to join a brokerage. After the necessary real estate application and certifications have been reached, meeting with a brokerage is next. This is because you’ll need a representative from the brokerage to sponsor your application. For your own benefit, it is recommended to meet with multiple brokers, in order to find one who best represents your style.
In addition, asking questions is critical, especially at this stage of the procedure. Inquire about factors relating to their work habits, in addition to their setup and relatable cost structure. The more you inform yourself about the various brokerages, the more you increase your chances of finding one suitable for sponsoring.
Step #3: Become Licensed in Real Estate
Before you officially get licensed in terms of practicing real estate, it is important to get the groundwork completed first. You’ll ideally have to work with an agency or brokerage for a couple of years, to build your profile. After you are comfortable with this part, submit your application for a license.
Like certification and educational courses, licensing varies from region to region. This means you’ll have to familiarize yourself with the factors relating to licensure. For the most part, writing an exam, and, if passed, paying licensing fees will be part of the process at this stage.
Step #4: Get Real Estate Insurance
You are almost there! After completing the various certification courses, sponsoring, and licensing requirements, you’ll need to get insured. This usually entails getting errors and omissions insurance. This particular type of coverage will protect you from claims of errors and negligence when providing the requisite services.
There are multiple routes you can take in order to get insured, but this will depend, again, on where you are located. Although mostly a structured process, mistakes during the buying and selling process of land could happen. It’s always a good idea to stay protected just in case!
Step #5: Articling
Like other fields such as law, one of the final components of the overall process is to go through an articling practice. For prospective realtors, many regions require you to complete specific articling requirements before you officially practice. What does the articling process entail?
For the most part, you will undergo a period of supervised training in which a senior professional will mentor you. This is incredibly important, in order to take your real estate practice to the next level. Some mistakes are to be expected, but this is the stage to correct them before you kickstart your burgeoning career.
Step #6: Get Your Real Estate Clients
A congratulations is in order at this stage of the process. After the articling process has been completed, you can now begin the process of getting your own clients. Check out your multiple listing services to post properties online, before advertising your services.
Marketing, especially for new realtors, is incredibly important. Basic advertising tools such as business cards will be needed, but, more crucially, getting your profile on social media is paramount. Create a website and relevant social media platforms, in order to get well-known within your local community. Put a face to your marketing, so clients can find you!
Now the fun begins; get your clients, build your reputation, and you’ll be practising real estate like a professional. The more you exercise your services in the real estate field, the more clients will be driven to you for their needs. Real estate is highly rewarding; you will see that sentiment firsthand when you officially begin practicing!
