Question:

Real Estate Licensing?

I just graduated college with a bachelor's in marketing and I decided that want to get into real estate as a career. I know I have to get licensed, take pre-licensing courses. However, do I get licensed before I apply to different agencies? Or should I do this while I'm taking the classes, or do these places like to wait until your licensed before they hear from you? Also, does it matter where you go to take these classes? Like, in college, the more prestigious the college the better? Or as long as you get your license, thats all that matters? I know these questions sound completely amateur and I have been doing research over the past few days but, I can't seem to get a straight answer. Thank you!

Answer:

Here's how you do it: Contact the two or three largest real estate firms in your area. Ask them about their pre-licensing exams. Most will offer them. Try to choose a company you might like to work with. But that's not a requirement. Take the pre-licensing classes in as short a time period as possible. A typical schedule might be two evenings a week and all day Saturday for 3 weeks. Something like that is good. Don't stretch it out over months. Reason: The only reason you're taking the classes is to pass the licensing exam. A lot of what you'll learn will have no real use...but you need to know it. So you cram it into your head. Don't do an online-only program. You'll need to ask questions and get understandable answers. Don't do it at a community college. Those programs take way too long--like 2 hours an evening once a week for 20 weeks. You'll forget most of it before you take your state exam. But it doesn't matter where else. No, it's not like choosing a prestigious college. The only thing--THE ONLY THING--that matters is getting the knowledge necessary to pass the state licensing exam. Once you pass the pre-licensing program, you then take the state licensing test. Once you pass it, you can work with (not for--you'll be an independent contractor) any brokerage you want. It makes sense to seriously consider the one that you took the pre-licensing courses with--but that's not required. As a newbie, look for one that offers continuing education and additional support. You'll get a lower commission, but it's worth it. They won't be interested in you until you get that state-issued license. Your questions are good. However, I don't understand how you could have been doing research for days and not getting a straight answer. That concerns me. Hope that helps.

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