Should I Become A Real Estate Agent – Career Considering Tips Have you just received your college degree? Or just got tired of your current job? In any case, you must have considered starting a career in real estate at one point. But before taking the final step, your mind is full of doubts, and you keep asking should I become a real estate agent? The career as a real estate agent is great only if you are into houses and have the drive to work with people. However, there is an illusion that real estate agents make an UNBELIEVABLE amount of money without practically doing anything. Being a real estate agent is more work than one might imagine. Although there are some incredibly successful agents, their ratio is small. In fact, over 80 percent of the real estate agents struggle to make ends meets. So before you plan on stepping into this industry and ask should I become a real estate agent? Reading the following points will help you understand how it is like being a real estate agent.
To Become An Agent, You Must Acquire The License: The first and foremost thing you need to do is to get a license. A license is an approval from the government of your state that you can assist people with selling/buying houses.
However, the process of getting a license requires your time and cash. The average time limit to complete the pre-license course goes from 60-140 hours. Moreover, the test fee ranges between $200$300.
Where Will You Work – A Tough Decision To Make: After you have become a licensed realtor, the next big thing is deciding where to work. According to the US law, real estate agents cannot work independently. They must associate with a broker to kick-start their career as a real estate agent. A broker usually has the experience of three or more years and provides the agents with a platform to master the trades of the industry.
The Start-Up Expenses: The start-up expenses can be huge too. Flyers, open house sigs, sale signs, a website and the running of social media blogs; it all demands a heavy budget. For starters, a maximum budget of $1,000.00 will do. However, as the business grows, you will be required to put more money into it.
Knowing Your Boundaries: Before starting a real estate agent career, know your boundaries. Having kids or a day job may disturb your daily life pattern. Although most house showings are done on weekends and in later hours of the day, it’s not uncommon for a buyer to put you on short notice to see a property.
Lastly, Be Realistic About The Incomes: The only source of income that a real estate agent career offers is the commission, and the commission comes from a closed sale. The more closed sales, the more commission, hence the more income. If you are closing only 3-4 sales a year, then becoming a real estate agent is not suitable for you. Bottom Line: When you ask yourself should I become a real estate agent, consider the points mentioned above. Not being able to meet any of these requirements can only mean one thing; being a real estate agent is not for you.