Becoming a real estate agent (and a successful one at that!) isn’t as easy as you might think it is. If you’ve been considering a career in real estate, it’s important to know ahead of time what to expect and what your first steps should be. Here are a few things you’ll need to do to get started.
- Get educated. The first thing you’ll need to do is take a pre-licensing course. Each state has its own requirements for this. In South Carolina, prospective real estate agents must attend a 60-hour pre-licensing class. There are several options for this, including a class at the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors and others at various real estate schools.
- Choose a brokerage where you’d like to start your career. It’s best to choose the broker you’d like to work with before you graduate from your pre-licensing course. Interview several brokers and compare what they offer their agents. For example, as a boutique brokerage, Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company is able to offer personalized training and mentoring in a smaller environment.
- Get licensed. After you graduate from your pre-licensing class, you will need to take your state’s licensing exam. Usually, there is a limit to the time you can take the exam after the class, so make sure you check your state’s requirements and read them carefully.
- Develop a budget. Between licensing courses, exam fees, licensing fees, association dues, business cards, signs, advertising, and possible desk fees, you can expect to pay somewhere around $2,000 just to get started. It’s also important to realize that you won't start raking in the commission checks right away. Set aside money for those first few months or so to support yourself.
- Find a mentor. Any good, committed broker-in-charge will be ready to help you whenever you need it, but it can also be beneficial to find a fellow agent in the office who can mentor you. Some agents might be willing to co-list with you, for instance, which means you share the work and learn alongside that more experienced agent and split the commission when the listing sells.
- Contact your sphere of influence. The first step to getting business is to let people know that you’re a real estate agent. Make a list of everyone you know, including family members, close friends, acquaintances, and anyone you might know who’s already in the real estate business. Call them, send out cards, or find another creative way to announce that you’re ready to help them with all of their real estate needs.
As you can see, getting started in the real estate industry can be a challenging, time-consuming venture. Arming yourself with the right knowledge and talking to people in the know will make things much easier. If you’d like to know more about a career in real estate, give us a call at (843) 486-1600. We’re always happy to educate and welcome new agents to the wonderful world of real estate!
